 Beerlando (1460), Orlando, Florida, USA
Mar 21, 2008
2007 vintage, aged at least 10 months, probably a little longer. Pours a very dark and cloudy, melted dark chocolate color. A small, foamy tan head leaves behind random spots and flares of lace. Bold, agressive notes of vanilla and boozy oak hit the nose first, followed by luxurious waves of chocolate, caramel, molasses, and lightly smoked peat. There’s a touch of saltiness to the nose, which I commonly find in Scotch Ales. The flavor is well blended, with oak and vanilla again imparting their signature tastes to this malty brew. Chocolate, molasses, and caramel show alot of sweetness, with a hefty dose of earthy hops attempting to balance things out. Raisons and figs emerge, adding fruity depth and complexity. I even picked up a touch of cinnamon. Medium-full bodied and very smooth, the only problem I have is that the alcohol isn’t as well hidden as I’d like. While smooth, it goes down hotter than expected, with the heat lingering in the back of the throat. This is truly a great brew, with just a few minor flaws.
mfaulke (79), clemson, South Carolina, USA
Nov 28, 2008 I cellared it for a year, and don’t know how old it was before I got it. The flavors had meshed perfectly with age, and it was hard to pick out one flavor on its own. Smoky butterscotch is probably what I would say. Couldn’t detect much of the hops, and it was less sweet than other scotch ales that I have had. Great beer. I wish I had another to lay down for another year.
17thfloor (807), Chicago, Illinois, USA
Nov 28, 2008 [Spring 08 Bottle] Pours clear but thick very dark near black brown with a lovely gray frothy foam. Rich aroma, caramel malt, peat, some woodiness. First taste of sweet rich cotton-candy, butterscotch candy, lightly peaty, some faded pacific NW hops, rich burnt caramel, touch of smoke. Finishes with light chocolate and peated malted barley. Fantastic mouthful, medium/full but so soft and fluffy! Great aftertaste, leaves the checks puckered in from the bitter dry woodiness. Definitely a fan. [Ha! for my 800th rating I was played BagPipe music... fitting for my Scotch Ale!]
Hophead22 (365), Redlands, California, USA
Nov 19, 2008 750ml bottle. Nice dark red pour, really nice with a tan head. Very dark and rich aroma, hint of anise maybe, very nice. Big and bold flavor, dark fruits,v ery rich and complex. Awesome!
CaryTheDude (489), Ripon, Wisconsin, USA
Nov 2, 2008 Crushed with Honkeybra. One hell of a profile with wonderful warmth. Fruity and scotchy on the nose, which leads into awesomeness. Finish is bitter and dry, but the fruits are the real dominant party in this sexy bitch of a brew. Intimidating.
HonkeyBra (517), Lemont, Illinois, USA
Nov 2, 2008 Crushed with theDude. Pours a dark brownish color with a big old rocky, off whit head. Aroma is sweet, with caramel and brown sugar, a bit of smoke. Flavor has a bit of scotch in the beginning, with lots of dark fruits coming through. Finish is a bit of hops and caramelized sugar. Awesome beer.;
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