Some hardcore boozehounds claim Barleywine is life, but they really haven’t lived until they’ve tried Green Bench and American Solera’s The Obscure Jamaican Rum Barrel-Aged Barleywine. Aged for 18 months in Rum Barrels from Appleton Estate, Jamaica’s oldest sugar estate and longest running distillery, The Obscure’s palate-taming boozy flavors have earned it the #17 ranking for English Barleywines in the World on Untappd.

The Obscure uses Thomas Hardy yeast cultures, famous for helping brews thrive for up to 20 years of cellaring -- it keeps this boozy 10.2% ABV Dark Beer stabilized and silky-smooth. Combine these cultures with the Barleywine base and its oaky molasses character exudes from each sip.

Pop the cap for aromas of brown sugar-dusted rum raisins. Imagine thick, creamy, rum-caramel fudge melting over your tongue. Notes of juicy bing cherries, and sticky-toffee pudding drizzled in honey surround the palate.

What a boozy flavor tornado! But wait, who made this again? Brewed by two-time US Open Beer Championship Top 10 winners, Florida’s Green Bench -- in a collab with former Prairie brewer Chase Healey at American Solera -- this may be the only time this small batch Jamaican Rum Barrel-Aged brew will ever be made. Proceed with your best judgement.

#17 ranked English Barleywine on Untappd; 4.52 on BeerAdvocate