Great Divide 16th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA

This is my first oaked IIPA!  This was recommended to my by my buddy as Spec's.  He told me it is a nice easy drinking 10% ABV beer.  So I picked it up and gave it a go.  I have had a couple beers from Great Divide Brewing Co. in the past and I haven't been disappointed.  Here are my thoughts.

Aroma - Earthy and floral hops.  Slightly sweet caramel.  A nice hint of oak; vanilla, sweet, toasty, and woodsy. 

Appearance - Clear, amber.  Thick head that laces as you drink.  Beautiful beer!

Flavor - First impression; super balanced and tasty!  Complex!  In the front you get a nice subtle charge of hops; mainly earthy and floral flavors.  Next comes the wood; smooth vanilla, oakiness, caramel notes.  To finish it all off is a nice caramel malt sweetness quickly followed by hop bitterness.  Deeee-licious!

Mouth-feel - Medium heavy, a nice beer to sit and sip on.  The finish is dry enough from the use of oak to be quite drinkable, you get some tannic qualities that help dry out and balance the sweetness of the beer.

Overall - What a great oak aged beer.  Super complex and drinkable.  If it wasn't for the wood this beer would not be as drinkable as it would.  I think the wood adds a dryness and body that can balance the caramel malt notes.  Give it a try you will not be disappointed.