Tullibardine (Black Wolf) 1488 Scotch Ale at 7% ABV ($7.69 at Crowfoot Liquor)
Pours clear medium gold with one fingers of dense white head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, patchy minimal lacing (3/5). Nose is sweet malt, honey, faint whisky and oaky vanilla (5/10). Taste is aggressively sweet with faint whisky notes, finishing bitter (4/10). Light to medium body, moderate to low sustained carbonation, with a lingering sticky bitter and faint whisky finish (3/5).
I’m not a big fan of scotch ales / wee heavies at the best of times, and this doesn’t come anywhere near the best. Aggressive sugary sweetness and only a hint of whisky conditioning, on top of a sweet malt base and no hop character. About the best thing I can say about this is, at least it’s not peated malt. (10/20)
My 115th from the 2010 Edition of 1001 Beers, 108th by the 2013 Edition, and 118th overall.
5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
