The Original - Scotch Whisky Barrel
Innis & Gunn
- From:
- Innis & Gunn
- Scotland, United Kingdom
- Style:
- Scottish Ale
Ranked #7 - ABV:
- 6.6%
- Score:
- 88
Ranked #19,223 - Avg:
- 3.94 | pDev: 9.9%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 14
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 12, 2026
- Added:
- Dec 27, 2020
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 3
SCORE
88
Very Good
88
Very Good
Innis & Gunn The Original is our flagship beer, the beer on which the brewery was founded back in 2003 when we discovered the incredible effects of cask maturation. A eureka moment; the flavours imparted by Single Malt Whisky casks on this beer gave us a whole new way in brewing and with that Innis & Gunn was born.
We brew a beautiful honey-hued, malty, golden Scottish beer. We then carefully mature it using hand selected single malt whisky casks; the best we can source. This maturation lends the beer an incredible smoothness and depth of flavour with hints of vanilla, toffee, and oak.
The result is a truly unique, delicious beer brimming with vanilla and toffee. That richness is perfectly balanced by notes of orange marmalade, citrus, and hints of oak with a very gentle understated bitterness. A delicate, velvety mouthfeel completes the experience. Smooth, refreshing, and decidedly different from the usual.
Now in new packaging, The Original is still the great tasting, award-winning beer it always has been. One that continues to define our spirit of Originality.
The Original uses an expertly balanced combination of three malts; Innis & Gunn Ale Malt, Crystal Malt and Amber Malt. This exquisitely judged combination earned The Original a Grand Gold certification at the 2021 Monde Selection.
We brew a beautiful honey-hued, malty, golden Scottish beer. We then carefully mature it using hand selected single malt whisky casks; the best we can source. This maturation lends the beer an incredible smoothness and depth of flavour with hints of vanilla, toffee, and oak.
The result is a truly unique, delicious beer brimming with vanilla and toffee. That richness is perfectly balanced by notes of orange marmalade, citrus, and hints of oak with a very gentle understated bitterness. A delicate, velvety mouthfeel completes the experience. Smooth, refreshing, and decidedly different from the usual.
Now in new packaging, The Original is still the great tasting, award-winning beer it always has been. One that continues to define our spirit of Originality.
The Original uses an expertly balanced combination of three malts; Innis & Gunn Ale Malt, Crystal Malt and Amber Malt. This exquisitely judged combination earned The Original a Grand Gold certification at the 2021 Monde Selection.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois
4.14/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.14/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Glad to finally have The Original. I&G had good distribution in Chicagoland in my pre-BA days. But glad to have found it as I resettle in London. Fitting that I should review this as my first review to celebrate having been on BA for a decade. The Original's quality and uniqueness encourages me to have it again and keep trying I&G's other brews.
The Original Looks a pretty golden/amber, but the barrel probably limits its foam relative to the typical Scottish Ale. Smells are mostly rich malt and barrel and smoke (in that order). Tastes are balanced, something restrains the sweet... whether it's barrel or hops or both. The barrel may be single malt scotch, but there is lots of complexity in how this ale evolves. Smooth in my mouth.
I give very good Overall Hugs to I&G for being Edinburgh's Grand Daddy micro. They have progressed well and inspired others. Slainte' !
6/2/26 Bought again at Waitrose, so I'm glad I&G has the staying to stay in southern London grocery stores. I drank this with an English cheese medley, so that seems to be part of the pairing. But good by itself also.
Feb 12, 2026The Original Looks a pretty golden/amber, but the barrel probably limits its foam relative to the typical Scottish Ale. Smells are mostly rich malt and barrel and smoke (in that order). Tastes are balanced, something restrains the sweet... whether it's barrel or hops or both. The barrel may be single malt scotch, but there is lots of complexity in how this ale evolves. Smooth in my mouth.
I give very good Overall Hugs to I&G for being Edinburgh's Grand Daddy micro. They have progressed well and inspired others. Slainte' !
6/2/26 Bought again at Waitrose, so I'm glad I&G has the staying to stay in southern London grocery stores. I drank this with an English cheese medley, so that seems to be part of the pairing. But good by itself also.
Reviewed by Sinfull from New York
4/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear, amber pour topped with a medium white head. The aroma opens with toffee, caramel malt, dried fruits, and a soft layer of vanilla. The flavor leans malty and moderately sweet, rounded out by a subtle hint of whiskey. Smooth and balanced.
Jan 29, 2026Reviewed by Sinte from Italy
3.89/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.89/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Bottle 0.355L
Clear amber-to-copper body with an average, frothy, off-white head, mostly diminishing with some lacing, though; low density of average-sized particles.
Moderate malty (caramel, whiskey) aroma with notes of vanilla, toffee and some fruits.
Moderate sweet flavour; long-lasting finish with notes of whiskey.
Medium body with oily texture; average carbonation.
Jun 28, 2025Clear amber-to-copper body with an average, frothy, off-white head, mostly diminishing with some lacing, though; low density of average-sized particles.
Moderate malty (caramel, whiskey) aroma with notes of vanilla, toffee and some fruits.
Moderate sweet flavour; long-lasting finish with notes of whiskey.
Medium body with oily texture; average carbonation.
Reviewed by buschbeer from Ohio
3.82/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
3.82/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
1 PINT 0.9 FL OZ can
Served in a pint glass
This beer pours a golden hue and is topped with an inch of tan head that recedes quickly leaving spotty lacing.
Sweet and malty aroma with toffee. Caramel and vanilla notes.
Rich caramel flavor. Hints of vanilla.
Medium bodied with a silky smooth mouthfeel
A little on the sweet side but other than that it is a solid beer.
Jan 14, 2025Served in a pint glass
This beer pours a golden hue and is topped with an inch of tan head that recedes quickly leaving spotty lacing.
Sweet and malty aroma with toffee. Caramel and vanilla notes.
Rich caramel flavor. Hints of vanilla.
Medium bodied with a silky smooth mouthfeel
A little on the sweet side but other than that it is a solid beer.
Reviewed by Jmsandberg17 from Missouri
4.24/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
330mL bottle pours a golden yellow color with a considerable head of fizzy off-white foam that gradually disappears almost completely to leave a thin ring. Smells of honeyed malts and a slight spice. Strong, hearty malt flavor accompanied by plenty of boozy/syrupy flavor, wood notes, honey, and toffee. Restrained bitterness and a pleasant spicy/floral flavor from the hops. Medium to full-bodied with a mild sweetness, a soft, sudsy carbonation mouthfeel, and a slightly sweet honey aftertaste.
This was a very enjoyable beer. Would buy again.
Jun 10, 2024This was a very enjoyable beer. Would buy again.
Reviewed by Badonde from England
2.86/5 rDev -27.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
2.86/5 rDev -27.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Unfortunately way, way too sweet for me. Bronze-gold in colour. Honey, caramel and vanilla on the nose and tongue, with a sticky mouthfeel and lingering lager taste. Just not for me at all - the "whisky" taste from the cask maturation seems like they've poured flavourings into beer, without the beer itself tasting that great. Very surface-level in taste, without depth - it tastes "of things" rather than having its own taste.
Apr 29, 2024
Reviewed by BJB13 from Maryland
3.99/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
330 ml bottle poured into a Spiegelau wheat beer glass.
BBE MAR 24
L: Clear, golden-amber, 2 finger white head, creamy foam is persistent, leaves a sparse pattern of lace.
S: Rich bread grain and caramel malts up front, becoming mineral with notes of oak barrel.
T: Malt forward, sweet toffee, with weaker whisky barrel flavor, low woody bitterness, lightly boozy flavor.
F: Medium body, soft and frothy with some edges from the moderate carbonation.
O: Good, drinks faster than intended I think.
Mar 27, 2024BBE MAR 24
L: Clear, golden-amber, 2 finger white head, creamy foam is persistent, leaves a sparse pattern of lace.
S: Rich bread grain and caramel malts up front, becoming mineral with notes of oak barrel.
T: Malt forward, sweet toffee, with weaker whisky barrel flavor, low woody bitterness, lightly boozy flavor.
F: Medium body, soft and frothy with some edges from the moderate carbonation.
O: Good, drinks faster than intended I think.
Reviewed by Spike from England
4.43/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.43/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
330ml clear glass bottle.
L: Clear, amber with a thin smear and rings of lacing. Beautiful colour.
S: Pale malt and young whisky. Delicate, almost floral, and long-lasting.
T: Heather, honey, oak, gentle whisky.
F: Medium body with a perfect, slightly oily mouthfeel. Very low bitterness.
O: A great golden ale. Still pale but sufficiently oaked to add complexity and a delightful lowland (floral not peaty) whisky tang. A gorgeous sipper.
Jan 07, 2024L: Clear, amber with a thin smear and rings of lacing. Beautiful colour.
S: Pale malt and young whisky. Delicate, almost floral, and long-lasting.
T: Heather, honey, oak, gentle whisky.
F: Medium body with a perfect, slightly oily mouthfeel. Very low bitterness.
O: A great golden ale. Still pale but sufficiently oaked to add complexity and a delightful lowland (floral not peaty) whisky tang. A gorgeous sipper.
Reviewed by scott451 from Canada (ON)
3.93/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured a 330ml bottle into a tulip. A one finger fine light tan head on a clear amber. Excellent head retention. Lots of fine lacing.
An initial waft of whisky is apparent on opening. Grainy malt smells.
Malt forward. The whisky notes are less prominent in the taste. Vanilla. Toffee. Caramel finish. More caramel as it warms.
Creamy texture. Very smooth. Light body and medium carbonation.
A fine and unique Scottish Ale. Well worth a try.
Jan 04, 2024An initial waft of whisky is apparent on opening. Grainy malt smells.
Malt forward. The whisky notes are less prominent in the taste. Vanilla. Toffee. Caramel finish. More caramel as it warms.
Creamy texture. Very smooth. Light body and medium carbonation.
A fine and unique Scottish Ale. Well worth a try.
Reviewed by foamy-afterglow from Canada (ON)
4.17/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.17/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Scottish beer matured in a single malt whisky cask.
Lovely golden colour, vanilla and some fruit on the nose. Malty flavour with toffee and burnt caramel. Not much of a hoppy finish, but smooth, unique and delicious.
Dec 20, 2023Lovely golden colour, vanilla and some fruit on the nose. Malty flavour with toffee and burnt caramel. Not much of a hoppy finish, but smooth, unique and delicious.
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