Samuel Adams - Triple Bock (1997)

Triple Bock is complex, elegant, and has the depth and complexity of a fine cognac, vintage port or an old sherry. Non-carbonated, ruby-black, and very special, Triple Bock should be sipped from a small snifter in a two-ounce serving. This is a beer to savor, and sip slowly. Triple Bock has a brandy-like warmth and a complex melange of fruity, woody, and toffee-like flavors. Let the aroma fill your mouth and nose with rich malt and fruit overtones. Savor and appreciate its enormous character. Serve Triple Bock as you would a fine sherry, at room temperature, in a small snifter. One bottle generously serves two or three. Re-cork and store standing up. Once poured into a small glass, the layers of aroma and flavor will continue to evolve as the deep ruby brew warms in the hand. Its warming malt character and fruit esters make it an ideal after dinner aperitif.

Though the little cobalt bottles still decorate the shelves today, this beer only had 3 vintage releases; 1994, 1995, and 1997. Brewed with two row malted barley, water, Noble hops and yeast, along with maple syrup, it was then aged several months in oak whiskey barrels before being bottled. At the time it was considered the world's strongest beer, and a precursor of today's Extreme Beers.

The ABV is 17.5 (20.0) and the IBU rating is ??
Style - American Strong Ale
Glass to use - A small Snifter (I used my Utopias snifter)
Delivery - 8.45oz Bottle; 1oz sample

Was cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Pours a very dark brown color (nearly black) with no head. No lacing but a very thick clear coating on the glass.
Aroma - Boozy, lots of dark fruit, leather or peat, molasses.  Very aged Port, Brandy or Cognac.
Taste - Tons of dark fruit, as it warms to room temperature it's like drinking a dark chocolate bar (lots of chocolate), lingering sweetness and an alcohol burn well after the swallow. 
Mouth Feel - No carbonation, full body, coats the mouth, a slight tangy bitterness on the sides of the tongue.
Drinkable - A great surprise, some recent reviews of this vintage stated that beer had gone bad and tasted like soy sauce. Which is why the BeerAdvocate and Ratebeer ratings are so low. 
This bottle was aged properly.  A sipper indeed!  If you can find a bottle enjoy it with fellow beer enthusiast.  I first had the 1994 vintage in that year not knowing anything about aging beer.  In 1997 I was able to get several bottles and was advised to save as many as I can, so I hidden the bottles and forgot about them.  I finally opened one up for this review after 14 years.  I still have 4 bottles left!

Goes well with strong and sharp cheese.  Enjoy it as an after dinner drink.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A.
BeerAdvocate Rating =C (The Bros gave it an A-)
Ratebeer Rating =33