Brouwerij der Abdij van St.Sixtus Westvleteren Abt 12° (2012/2013/2014) Abt / Quadrupel at 10.2% ABV | 38 IBU (C$26.67 at belgiuminabox.com, 330 ml, best before 28-Aug-2015/31-Jul-2016/20-Nov-2017, acquired 17-Dec-2014, reviewed 17-Feb-2018)
2012: Appearance: muddy opaque brown with one finger of creamy mocha head diminishing gradually to a thick persistent ring, minimal spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: dark stone fruit, figs, brown sugar, nuts. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium-full slightly slick body, moderate-low carbonation, lingering bitter and warming finish. (4/5) Overall: 16/20
2013: Appearance: clear ruby with one finger of creamy mocha head, excellent retention and moderate lacing. (5/5) Aroma: dark stone fruit, figs, brown sugar, nuts. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium-full slightly slick body, moderate-low carbonation, lingering bitter and warming finish. (4/5) Overall: 18/20
2014: Appearance: hazy brown with one finger of creamy mocha head diminishing gradually to a thick persistent cap and ring, spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: dark stone fruit, figs, brown sugar, nuts. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium-full slightly slick body, moderate-low carbonation, lingering bitter and warming finish. (4/5) Overall: 17/20
The first thing that struck me about comparing these three side-by-side was the sheer variation in appearance. It wasn’t all that surprising that the most elderly was somewhat muddy and particulate-laden, but the youngest was almost as opaque a brown, while the 2013 was nearly crystal clear ruby. Retention and lacing followed suit, with the eldest having the poorest, and the 2013 having the best, while the 2014 split the difference between the two. Aromas were unsurprisingly strongly similar, but there was some variation in the overall richness or darkness, with the 2013 being the lightest in character and the 2012 the darkest. Although this side-by-side variation was noticeable, it wasn’t enough to justify a change in score, unlike appearance. Interestingly, given the variation in appearance and aroma, the taste and mouth feel for all three was virtually identical. (After making these observations, I asked my lovely assistant to hand me random ones while I kept my eyes closed, and verified my observations. I was able to distinguish on the basis of aroma, but not taste or mouth feel.)
8/10 (2012) – 9/10 (2013) – 8.5/10 (2014) #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
