Innis & Gunn Brewing Company Irish Whiskey Cask – Stout at 6.1% ABV (C$3.65 at NLC Stavanger, 473 ml, best before 30-Apr-2021, acquired 30-Jun-2020, reviewed 6-Jul-2020)
Appearance: clear deep cola red with one finger of fine beige head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, spotty soapy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: chocolate, ashy roasted malt, vanilla, whiskey, stone fruit. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-lively carbonation, lingering bitter lightly warming finish. (4/5)
I’ve been fairly unimpressed with I&G for quite a while now: admittedly it seems like they never actually shit the bed (though their ginger beer came close to that) but no more do they ever really knock one out of the park – mediocrity seems to be the name of the game. This, though, is actually pretty decent. Not great, mind you – there are too many little picky points for that. Head development and retention are frankly abysmal for the style, and the light body and almost lively carbonation seem inappropriate to the style. I’m also on the fence regarding the whiskey notes: on the one hand, it’s good that they don’t overwhelm, but on the other, a bit more bombast wouldn’t be a bad thing, either. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
