Orkney Dark Island (Bottle)

Mild dark fruit aroma, some light chocolate, and arguably malt! Nearly opaque brown/black color, but halogen backlight shows ruby tones. Tan head that mostly went away, but what remained laced a bit. The dark fruit flavor is more cherry than plummy, the mouthfeel is full and a bit chewy. Arguably both roasted malt and coffee tagging along with the chocolate for the finish. The malt/hop finish is a bit more like a stout than anything else, except, wait, Old Peculier. But different in a good way.

Very dark in the glass with a lively head that contributes some lacing. Aromas are light raosted, caramel, soda, esters. Palate is pretty smooth and long with a weight slightly on the light side. Flavors are excellent: sour cherry, bread, chickory, earth and apricot. If only the tastes contribute to the nose, this would be a great brew. Love to try the cask version.

Bottle. Dark amber with a nice lasting white head. Sweet aroma with malt, caramel and some chocolate. Flavour is fruity and fresh with some chocolate and nuts, raisins and good maltiness. Toasty finish. Good brew indeed!

A creamy dark chocolate tale with a full palate. Apart from the mostly diminishing head this is a great drink.

Nice, rich, complex malt flavors. Some coffee, some chocolate. A solid example of an 80/-.

Bottled. Pours a clear dark amber with a lacy off-white head. The aroma is a sweet, malty blend of toffee and nuts. The body is light and watery, and the carbonation minimal. The taste has some maple and nutty notes, but they’re far from the chewy flavors that the nose implies. Dry finish.

Bottle. Dark ruby red with a little beige head. Sweet roasted malty aroma. Flavour has some liquorice and quite sweet. Some dryness from flowery hops. Otherwise a sweet roasted feel with a smoky edge.

Cask at the Ship Centurian in Whitstable High Street. This pint took me off-guard, pouring liqourice brown with a tan head. Distinct burnt notes with chocolate and coffee flavours more reminiscent of an imperial stout than an old ale. Thick mouthfeel with porty finish. Very good winter beer.