Dark Island Reserve
Orkney Brewery

Dark Island ReserveDark Island Reserve
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From:
Orkney Brewery
 
Scotland, United Kingdom
Style:
Scottish Ale
Ranked #1
ABV:
10%
Score:
92
Ranked #5,473
Avg:
4.13 | pDev: 9.93%
Reviews:
71
Ratings:
149
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 15, 2024
Added:
Jan 15, 2008
Wants:
  107
Gots:
  32
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by beerdrifter:
Photo of beerdrifter
Reviewed by beerdrifter from Germany

4.41/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Beautiful dark brown pour with a one finger beige head with minimal retention and crazy lacing. The nose is earthy with rich dark caramel malts dominating along with hints of mocha. As it warms, a strong vinous character emerges along with evidence of the barrel aging and hints of whiskey. The taste follows suit, dominated initially by loads of roasty cocoa, espresso, and dark chocolate. As with the nose, the taste really opens up as it warms. Unlike some big barrel aged beers, it's not in your face. The woody vinous notes are subtle but so delicious. Hints of oak, vanilla, whiskey, and dark fruit round it out nicely. The mouthfeel is thick and creamy with a subtle sweet and dry finish. Overall, this is my definition of a comfort beer. Big, but not too big, rich and bold, but not in your face. A world class beer!
Feb 10, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.19 by Magery from Kentucky

Jan 15, 2024
Photo of AzfromOz
Reviewed by AzfromOz from Australia

4.2/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Purchased from Plonk in Fyshwick, Canberra, in August 2023. Drunk on a cold summer's day in December of that year.

L: Thick, oily, jet black, with no head whatsoever and no carbonation seen through the impenetrable blackness.

S: Rich plum, molasses and dark fruit. There's a slight barrel note towards the end, which, at least at the start of the glass, is overwhelmed by the plums but which comes into its own as the beer warms and the aroma dials back a notch.

T: The barrel very much comes to the fore in the taste profile, relegating the plums and dark fruit to a back seat. There's a woody note, as well as an unmistakable touch of the scotch whisky that originally inhabited the barrel. An earthy, acrid bitterness asserts itself on the swallow and lingers long afterwards. Alcoholic warmth is present and leaves a pleasant remnant in the throat, gullet and stomach.

M: Mouthfeel is pleasant - carbonation is minimal but sufficient to give the beer heft, and the body is full and smooth.

O: This beer was crafted in the Orkney Islands and is perfect for that climate. Australia is about as un-Orkney as you can get in terms of weather (normally - it's a cold and windy summer's day as I type this!), but this beer would be delicious and demand repeats no matter the location and no matter the temperature.

Cheers!
#413
Dec 28, 2023
 
Rated: 4.09 by not2quick from Missouri

Jul 30, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by steverx8 from England

Mar 18, 2022
 
Rated: 3.94 by Chuckdiesel24 from Illinois

Feb 13, 2021
Photo of puboflyons
Reviewed by puboflyons from New Hampshire

4.56/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
2016 limited edition bottle. Sampled December 25, 2020.

Handsome dark brown pour with a quick fading tan head.

The aroma is roasted dark malts, black licorice, and alcohol.

Full mouthfeel.

The taste is sweet and malt forward with those whiskey barrel characters in play. Warming, satisfying finish.
Dec 26, 2020
 
Rated: 4.43 by DarrellK from Florida

Nov 25, 2019
 
Rated: 4.12 by PugsandBeer from Florida

Sep 29, 2019
 
Rated: 4.15 by Biggiekrock627 from Maryland

Aug 23, 2019
 
Rated: 4.19 by tux_alin from Romania

May 25, 2019
 
Rated: 4.32 by wordemupg from Canada (AB)

Sep 15, 2018
 
Rated: 3.53 by djrn2 from New Jersey

Jul 05, 2018
 
Rated: 4.04 by TheCrowsEye from California

Jan 31, 2018
Photo of goodbeergoodfood
Rated by goodbeergoodfood from North Carolina

4.89/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Just an absolutely fabulous world-class beer. I now have 5 bottles and I'm celebrating for special occasions.
Dec 12, 2017
 
Rated: 4.05 by Vader444 from Scotland

Nov 10, 2017
 
Rated: 4.4 by Stofko1992 from Pennsylvania

May 30, 2017
 
Rated: 4.35 by rodmanfor3 from Vermont

Jan 02, 2017
 
Rated: 4.25 by Sweffin from Wisconsin

Apr 23, 2016
 
Rated: 3.91 by atone315 from Wisconsin

Apr 18, 2016
Dark Island Reserve from Orkney Brewery
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 149 ratings