BrewDog Paradox Islay (Batch 008)

Brewed by BrewDog
Style: Imperial Stout
Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Tasted blind along with three other Paradox Imperial Stouts on an Imp Stouty Tasting evening with Case, Traci and Loz 14-03-08, Poured very dark brown with just a small amount of beige bubbles. There is a much lighter smokiness to this one compared to the other Islay cask which was really smokey there is also quite a nice tang, bit earthy really nice. The one downside to this beer was that it finished leaving you with a, ’i’ve just licked an ashtray’ feel in your mouth which wasn’t there with the other beer, otherwise very good. big, big thanks to Craig, cgarvieuk for getting me these beers, cheers mate.

Courtesy hopscotch. A dark brown black pour. Very nice aroma of smoke house meat. A very nice peat aroma and toasted malt. Very smoke filled flavor with hints of chocolate. Mouthfeel and carbonation are solid. All round hard pusher. Excellent example of how smoke should be without being overwhelming.

Bottle acquired in trade. Labeled BB 22/12/08. Poured a dark black color with brown edges and a small sized off white head. Aromas of smoke, plastic, earthy, and peaty. Tastes of dirt, earthy, smoke, ashtray, chocolate, and some caramel. Light alcohol in the finish.

Poured a dark brown / black color with a small, tan head that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of peat smoked malts (strong), wood, rubber, light chocolate, and roast as well. Taste of chocolate, roasted malts up front, with a bit of vanilla, but just finishing with the same exact peat smoke that prevents me from enjoying Scotch.

Thanks to hopdog for sharing. Side by side with an 005. Pours a deep brown with amber notes and a smallery bubbly tan head. Aroma of smoked meats, some roasted malt, some floral notes caramel and a touch of vanilla. Flavor of campfire smoke, earthy...actually this is a pile of dirt, smoked meats, hintsof caramel and light alcohol.

Courtesy hopscotch. Wow! What a fantastic brew. The pour is a somewhat translucent, dark mahogany color. Very little head and no lacing. The aroma shows huge scotch notes, copious amounts of smoked peat, smoky charred oak, and malted chocolate. Like the nose, the flavor is incredibly rich and intense, yet refined. Scorched caramel, chocolate malts, smoked peat, and smooth scotch please the palate. A slightly less than full body is incredibly smooth, and perfect for this style. Much easier to drink than the nose indicates. Perhaps the ultimate scotch lover’s beer, this one is perfect for slow sipping by the fire on a lazy winter night. Fantastic!

Courtesy hopscotch. Black pour with vestiges of head, but not much. A ton of peat along with smoke, rich malt, roast. Peat heaven. Taste has a blast of scotch, but not as much heat as I anticipated. Rich spicy sweetness, peaty finish. Palate holds everything up well. Not too thick, but that allows room for everything. I likes the peat.

Courtesy hopscotch. Pours a chocolatey brown, with wet braids of lacing. Aroma is smoky scotch, barbecued meat. Flavor is scotch, smoke, and interestingly enough, horseradish. Definitely found the aroma more enjoyable than the flavor. Watery and boozy body.