Orkney Dark Island (Bottle)

Brewed by Orkney (Sinclair Breweries)
Style: Old Ale
Stromness, Orkney, Highlands & Islands, Scotland

Thin head on top a cola coloured ale ample carbonation aroma dark fruit caramel chocolate coffee liccorice flavour coffee caramel chocolate smooth not rich a bitter roast taste lika London porter has liccorice fig sweetness ale needed it bitter strong at the end malt dry taste sweetness is mild bitter is over strong not really to my taste.

Bottle: Very deep ruby-amber coloured, small persistent tanned head; fruity aromas, coffee and chocolate in the nose; moderate to solid bitter-sweet flavour, medium bodied, soft MF; increasing dryness in the lingering roast-malty and bitter-chocolatey finish. A fine winter-warmer..........

(bottle) Clear, mahogany colour with a beige dense and medium-sized foamy head. Sweet roast-malty aroma with notes of dark chocolate, caramel and peat, accompanied by a fruity and vinous Sherry-like notes. Moderately sweet and slightly bitter flavour, light to medium bodied with a smooth mouthfeel. Toasty and peaty malty taste with notes of chocolate and a light vinous fruit-character; dry and slightly fruity Sherry-like finish. Very likeable. 06.XI.09

Bottle. On the lower end of abv than most "old ales". Doesn’t matter though. Still had a great taste and really appreciated the Stonehedge picture on the label. Would drink again. Recommended.

50cl dark brown bottle, label different from the one pictured (but same abv). Almost opaque, pitch black colour with a touch of red. Big, fluffy beige head of medium retention, but with plenty of lacing. Intense aroma of roasted, chocolaty malt and dark berries. Medium- to heavy-bodied dark ale with thick, creamy mouth feel. Low carbonation. Taste is very much like a good stout, only lighter: coffeeish malt dominates, and it’s not nearly as sweet as the aroma seemed to indicate. Only mildly bitter at first, but very smooth. Slightly sweeter finish and after taste. Not as complex as a stout or some porters, closer to the German schwarzbier in fact. But it’s very well balanced and drinks nicely. Very sessionable brew. But it’s a tad expensive by mail order.

Pitch black with a red tint. Tall, creamy head. Rich malt aroma, slightly roasted, a bit sweet. Rich malt flavor as well, with a decent roasted character. Just a bit sweet. Smooth, creamy, mild taste. Smooth as silk, well balanced, subtle tasting and malty.

50cl bottle from Morrisons, Aberdeen. Black with a reddish tint and a cream head; chocolate and tar aromas; milky texture and a light coffee flavour with a sweet finish.

Black ale with beige medium lasting head. Lively carbonation. Coffee aroma with notes of smoke. Complex flavour dominated by coffee, garden bonfire and roasted malts. Underlying malty sweetness. Some herbal notes too. Peat? A sent of highland park whisky? Excellent brew.