Cigar City Big Sound Scotch Ale

Brewed by Cigar City Brewing
Style: Scotch Ale
Tampa, Florida USA

22oz bottle. Shared with friends. Pours a creamy dark brown with a thick light tan head. Nose is of course lots of caramel but also considerable brown sugar, smoke and even a bit of fruit (some citrus from the hops but also some prune and cherry). The flavor on this is jaw dropping. I actually prefer the flavor slightly to Alesmith Wee Heavy. In fact Overall I think I like this better. Its reminiscent more of Belhaven Wee Heavy in its flavor profile but with a balancing of hops that keeps the sweetness in check. Rich roasted chocolate up front followed by thick notes of caramel and cherry. Some strong raisin and fig and even a bit of light smoke and leather. Simply AMAZING. The palate is super thick and I was amazed this was only 8.5% not because of the alcohol which is non existant, but because the palate is just insanely full. Massive body. Chewy and rich. I actually may like this more than the Zhukov’s Impy Stout! Insane props to Joey and Wayne on this amazing masterpiece.

750 at redlight redlight huge toffee and chocolate notes in the nose... super creamy... delicious coffee and toffee tastes... like ovaltine for big people... hot damn.

750 mL bottle from Lee’s Liquors in Orlando (big thanks to Austin for getting this one). Pours dark brown with a creamy off-white head. Aroma of caramel, toffee, smoke, and very light piney hops. Very good, balanced flavor; not too sweet like many Scotch Ales. This does have some characterisitics of an imperial stout with the smoked flavors, toffee, and a hint of coffee. I said this in my review of Founder’s Dirty Bastard but I now have to ammend that review: best Scotch Ale I have had. This time, I don’t think it’s even close. Phenomenal beer.

A: Pours a very dark amber almost black hue. The head was a full one finger of mocha goodness. Okay retention with a nice smattering of lace. S: Mmmmm this is what malt goodness smells like. This one oozes caramel, toffee, molasses, and dark brown sugar. Hints of chocolate hide beneath this malt mountain along with a touch of dark fruit. T: Wow I hate to feel like a homer everytime I crack a CCB, but to be honest there are very few if anyone doing what they do. This beer is packed with flavor. The sweet malt goodness is off the scale. Tons of brown sugar and gooey caramel. Touches of molasses and nuts. There is a nice dose of chocolate with notes of dark fruits. A bit or earth and a dash of deep roasted malt round things out. This is an Imperial Scotch Ale that is in a class that only includes AleSmith Wee Heavy. M: Rather full in body for the style. Smooth, Rich, Bold, Awesome! D: Great I consumed an entire 750ml and pondered opening another. Alas I will save it for another day. It checks in at over 9% ABV this year so this is one that can hang around for awhile. Wayne and Joe does it again. I bow to your greatness :)

(Rating #5000) Bottle…This beer rocks!... Pours too dark and murky to see through – I’d say burnt caramel with a small, creamy, off-white head. Good retention. The aroma is a luxurious, odd mix of singed caramel, smoke, tobacco and a gob of charred marshmallow. Tough to figure out, but very nice. Full-bodied with a creamy/sticky mouthfeel and ticklish carbonation. The flavor is a swirl of all things sweet, caramelized, singed and toasted – espresso, chocolate, caramel and toffee. Finishes sweet and rich and leaves me wanting to pop the top on another bottle immediately. Quickly! I’m hooked and need my next fix.

Bottle: Pours a dark brown with a thin tan head. Aroma brings out sweet toffee with hints of dark chocolate and dried fruit. Roasty malty flavor starts with chocolate cherries and finishes with hints of coffee beans. Finish is chewy and dry that is very flavorable and enjoyable. I didn’t realize I like Scotch Ale’s so much until I tried this one. Well balanced and well done!

Bottle sent to my by tpd975. Great great scotch ale. Very dark brown with a nice tan head. Aroma is full of great caramel malt, nuts, fruit and some brown sugar. The body of this beer is beyond amazing. Coats the mouth like very few beers can dream of. The flavor is just loaded with every imaginalbe malt flavor you can name. Caramel, toffee, fruit, vanilla, chocolate, wood, roast, brown sugar, man oh man. Wayne and Joey are seriously cranking out some amazing beers. but what do I know, I am just a homer.

750 mL bottle courtesy of Joey. Thanks! Pours a dark slightly hazy reddish bronze color with a thin head. Aroma of caramel, toffee, toasted malts, chocolate, alcohol, green apple, red apple and other fruity notes. Taste is toffee, caramel, leafy and bitter hop notes and a fruity apple finish. A hint of chocolate. Full bodied. This is a damn good beer.