Orkney Brewery _Dark Island Reserve_ Old Ale at 10% ABV (C$28.84 at Beer Club Offering #11, 750 ml, bottle date 11-Dec-2013, acquired 24-Sep-2014, reviewed 12-Feb-2017)
Appearance: near opaque black with a short, short-lived beige head, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: burnt sugar, black strap molasses, dark chocolate, wood, dried fruit, cardboard. (5/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium body, low carbonation, lingering moderate bitter finish. (3/5)
I’m not quite sure whether this is more properly considered a Scotch Ale, a Wee Heavy, or an Old Ale. In any case, it looks kind of like a stout, but tastes like a cross between a Barley Wine and an Old Ale. Quite a bit thinner than I’d’ve expected based on its appearance. Seems a bit oxidised, so I guess it was a mistake to cellar a flip-top for more than three years. A bit meh, especially for the price. (12/20)
6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
