New Holland Pilgrims Dole

4.3/5

AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 17/20

22 ounce bottle into snifter, no bottle code so this is probably over a year old. Pours hazy brick red color with a small light khaki head with good retention that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Some spotty lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of big caramel, molasses, raisin, toasted malt, biscuit, vanilla, wood, light citrus, light fruits, and some spiciness. Very nice aromas with good complexity going on. Taste of big caramel, molasses, raisin, toffee, vanilla, wood, toasted malt, bread, herbal spices, and light wheat. Not much bitterness; with lingering notes of caramel, molasses, light fruits, wood, and spiciness on the finish for a bit. Medium carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a huge creamy and slick mouthfeel, that drinks super smoothly for being over 11%. Alcohol is extremely well hidden; I am really not noticing much at all on the finish. This was not the flavor profile I was expecting out of a wheatwine, but this is an outstanding brew. Big creamy and lush body; with a very dessert-like flavor profile; without being cloyingly sweet. I would have this again for sure.

The best New Holland brew I have had to date. A year of age has done great things.