Portsmouth 70 Shilling

Well, despite this beer showing "retired" and having no reviews since 2004, my bottle clearly reads "70 Shilling Scotch Ale" so I’ll stick my review here. Pours a deep, deep copper with a small bubbly tan head that dissipates quickly to a collar leaving sporadic lacing. Aroma is dominated by sweetness with caramel malts, toffee and dark fruits, but there is a hint of citrus hops in the nose as well. The taste is a more toasted version of the smell with big sweet caramel malts and dark fruits playing big roles. Again, there is a slight hop presence in the background but not enough to leave more than a passing bitterness in the finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with strong carbonation that tickles the tongue with the sweetness that dominates the taste. This is a very good scotch ale and one that I would seek out.

Art of Beer Festival 2004: Has a clouded amber color with a small tan head. Smell is of sweet malts. Taste is also malted and finishes sweet. Overall a pretty good beer.

Amber in color with a small off-white head of foam. Malty sweet aroma. Flavor is malty,slightly sweet and finishes with even more malt.

Candy sugar in evidence…Assertive caramel malt…But too easy and shallow…

Nice cloudy ruby appearance with a decent head. Thick and chewy Scottish ale with a light but tasty peat smokiness and heavy caramelness. Tasted some apple wood as well? 22oz bottle was not enough.