Irish Whiskey Aged Scottish Stout | Innis & Gunn
Average: 3.84 | pDev: 13.02%
Reviews: 186 | Ratings:
Ranked #23 English Stout and #18,476 overall.
ABV: 7.40% | Availability: Rotating
Wants Gots
Innis & Gunn
Scotland, United Kingdom
innisandgunn.com
Notes:
BA SCORE
86
Very Good
86
Very Good
Reviews: 186
| Ratings: 709
3.77/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours black with a tan head. Smells a bit like a whisky with hints of stone fruit and molasses. Hints of stone fruit and whisky also in the taste but dominated (to my dismay) by the rather charred flavor of the roasted barley. Not the best barrel aged ale or stout, but decent.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours black with a tan head. Smells a bit like a whisky with hints of stone fruit and molasses. Hints of stone fruit and whisky also in the taste but dominated (to my dismay) by the rather charred flavor of the roasted barley. Not the best barrel aged ale or stout, but decent.
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3.77/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
330 mL Bottle. ABV 6.1%.
Appearance: Dark brown-black, One finger of frothy tan head.
Aroma: Coffee, Roasted barley, Dark chocolate, Molasses, Vanilla, Slight whisky.
Mouthfeel: Just under medium body (slightly watery), Noticeable carbonation, Whisky warmth.
Flavour: Roasted barley, Coffee, Slight chocolate, Slight cream.
Overall: It's a decent stout and good enough example of the style but could be balanced a bit better.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
330 mL Bottle. ABV 6.1%.
Appearance: Dark brown-black, One finger of frothy tan head.
Aroma: Coffee, Roasted barley, Dark chocolate, Molasses, Vanilla, Slight whisky.
Mouthfeel: Just under medium body (slightly watery), Noticeable carbonation, Whisky warmth.
Flavour: Roasted barley, Coffee, Slight chocolate, Slight cream.
Overall: It's a decent stout and good enough example of the style but could be balanced a bit better.
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3.46/5 rDev -9.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured black with a one finger tan head that dissipated quickly. Faint nose of malt and whiskey, with a soda like hint. Light taste of malt, dark chocolate and a slight hint of whisky and oak. Feel is a bit light for a stout with moderate carbonation that is slightly too much. Overall, a bit lackluster.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured black with a one finger tan head that dissipated quickly. Faint nose of malt and whiskey, with a soda like hint. Light taste of malt, dark chocolate and a slight hint of whisky and oak. Feel is a bit light for a stout with moderate carbonation that is slightly too much. Overall, a bit lackluster.
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3.86/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pretty good the Irish whiskey is present but faint not over powering . A bit to carbonated for my taste an amazing smell and nice look. I will purchase it again
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pretty good the Irish whiskey is present but faint not over powering . A bit to carbonated for my taste an amazing smell and nice look. I will purchase it again
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4.19/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
My bottle says 6.1% ABV.
This one is a smooth sipper. Malted milk balls, burnt toast, bitterness from earthy hops and burnt grains. This one tastes pretty sweet. Overall I enjoyed it very much, and at $2.99 for a single, this one won't break the bank. Recommended!
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
My bottle says 6.1% ABV.
This one is a smooth sipper. Malted milk balls, burnt toast, bitterness from earthy hops and burnt grains. This one tastes pretty sweet. Overall I enjoyed it very much, and at $2.99 for a single, this one won't break the bank. Recommended!
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3.16/5 rDev -17.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Grunt fill from Albertsons. Light bodied for a stout, and pretty sweet too. Black body, small thin head. Sweet malty aroma, milk, burnt toast. Taste also seems overly sweet. Not too many whiskey notes. Still figuring this one out.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Grunt fill from Albertsons. Light bodied for a stout, and pretty sweet too. Black body, small thin head. Sweet malty aroma, milk, burnt toast. Taste also seems overly sweet. Not too many whiskey notes. Still figuring this one out.
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3.65/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a big, slightly frothy head; very good retention, and leaving behind adequate lacing. Brew is absolutely black.
Very dark and roasty on the nose, with hints of dark fruit, oak, and smoke.
Less than impressive on the palate; it's really a fairly straight forward dry stout, with lots of roasted barley, and red grape and dark fruit notes. The oak comes through on the palate, adding a nice extra dimension, but there's almost no trace of the whiskey, save a slightly sweet kiss right at the beginning. Some chocolate, and a touch of butterscotch.
Mouthfeel is far too fizzy, which really takes away from the enjoyment. A little back end heat.
This could easily replace any normal single digit ABV stout on tap in Scotland. Few would be likely to complain, but honestly, few would notice; it's just not particularly remarkable, which is what one should expect when a brewer with I&G's pedigree ages a stout on whiskey. What one should not expect is a lunch time porter indistinguishable in style from Guinness, and carrying only slightly greater body and fuller taste.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a big, slightly frothy head; very good retention, and leaving behind adequate lacing. Brew is absolutely black.
Very dark and roasty on the nose, with hints of dark fruit, oak, and smoke.
Less than impressive on the palate; it's really a fairly straight forward dry stout, with lots of roasted barley, and red grape and dark fruit notes. The oak comes through on the palate, adding a nice extra dimension, but there's almost no trace of the whiskey, save a slightly sweet kiss right at the beginning. Some chocolate, and a touch of butterscotch.
Mouthfeel is far too fizzy, which really takes away from the enjoyment. A little back end heat.
This could easily replace any normal single digit ABV stout on tap in Scotland. Few would be likely to complain, but honestly, few would notice; it's just not particularly remarkable, which is what one should expect when a brewer with I&G's pedigree ages a stout on whiskey. What one should not expect is a lunch time porter indistinguishable in style from Guinness, and carrying only slightly greater body and fuller taste.
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3.75/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing opaque black in the glass with a thin brown head that dissipates to small patches with light lacing. Aroma of semi-sweet dark toasted malt, cocoa and slight whiskey and caramel. Flavor is mild dark toasted malt, cocoa, light nondescript whiskey and mild oak. Light to medium bodied with good carbonation. A rather light weight stout with distinct, but subdued whiskey and oak barrel notes. The stout base has an Export Stout profile with good malt and light chocolate notes. This is pleasant to drink, but surprisingly restrained flavors overall. I've liked the beers from this brewery, but all felt like they are pulling back from robust flavors. Although there is a good whisky flavor, it is muted enough to not be able to get any Irish whiskey character. Worth a try for the decent light stout base and whiskey barrel notes.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing opaque black in the glass with a thin brown head that dissipates to small patches with light lacing. Aroma of semi-sweet dark toasted malt, cocoa and slight whiskey and caramel. Flavor is mild dark toasted malt, cocoa, light nondescript whiskey and mild oak. Light to medium bodied with good carbonation. A rather light weight stout with distinct, but subdued whiskey and oak barrel notes. The stout base has an Export Stout profile with good malt and light chocolate notes. This is pleasant to drink, but surprisingly restrained flavors overall. I've liked the beers from this brewery, but all felt like they are pulling back from robust flavors. Although there is a good whisky flavor, it is muted enough to not be able to get any Irish whiskey character. Worth a try for the decent light stout base and whiskey barrel notes.
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3.73/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Black colored beer with a medium sized brown colored head. Nearly light proof it takes a strong flashlight to revel that this is indeed clear.
Smells of molasses and smoked malt. Lesser scent of black licorice. Smells of sweet whiskey. Slightly perfume scented and fruity and flowery.
Starts out on the sweet side with a notable smoke flavor. The flavor is bittersweet. Whiskey is subdued. Mostly this is just a mild flavorful stout.
Mouthfeel is on the thin side for a stout.
Overall pretty tasty, just don't expect strong whiskey flavor.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Black colored beer with a medium sized brown colored head. Nearly light proof it takes a strong flashlight to revel that this is indeed clear.
Smells of molasses and smoked malt. Lesser scent of black licorice. Smells of sweet whiskey. Slightly perfume scented and fruity and flowery.
Starts out on the sweet side with a notable smoke flavor. The flavor is bittersweet. Whiskey is subdued. Mostly this is just a mild flavorful stout.
Mouthfeel is on the thin side for a stout.
Overall pretty tasty, just don't expect strong whiskey flavor.
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3.78/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a mug: color is black, with dark brown edges at the bottom, head is light tan made of fine bubbles, some lacing.
Smell is stouty: light chocolate, light roast, molasses.
Taste is similar, though a slight bit thin for 7.5% - chocolate, roast, molasses, hints of whiskey at the very end and more so as it warms
Mouthfeel is moderate carbonation, lingering bitterness, light sweetness.
Overall a decent beer with solid stout qualities and a just so subtle whiskey flavor.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a mug: color is black, with dark brown edges at the bottom, head is light tan made of fine bubbles, some lacing.
Smell is stouty: light chocolate, light roast, molasses.
Taste is similar, though a slight bit thin for 7.5% - chocolate, roast, molasses, hints of whiskey at the very end and more so as it warms
Mouthfeel is moderate carbonation, lingering bitterness, light sweetness.
Overall a decent beer with solid stout qualities and a just so subtle whiskey flavor.
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3.9/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
have had several bottles in this series tucked away for some time now, awaiting the moment to strike. I have just been inspired by another site's user and am now embarking on a journey, not of body, but of sight, mind and casks! The eradication of the Bottle Baklog at Chez Woody continues.
From the bottle: "Oak Aged like no other beer"; "Hand-Crafted Sottish Beer"; "Scottish Stout matured with Irish Whiskey oak chips"; "Carefully matured for 60 days prior to release"; "Approved for bottling [undersigned] Esther M Binnie"; "Master Brewer [undersigned] Douglas Gunn Sharp"; "Innis & Gunn Irish Whiskey Aged Oak Aged Beer"; "This Innis & Gunn stout has been aged with Irish Whiskey oak chips. The result is a rich, complex beer with a velvety smooth finish and notes of dark chocolate, coffee and treacle."
I Pop!ped the cap & commenced a slow, gentle pour since I have gone off of aggro pours (unless warranted). Once sufficiently decanted, I gave it a vigorous in-glass swirl that raised two-plus fingers of dense, rocky, ldeep-tan/light-brown with moderate retention, leaving behind nice lacing. Color was Very Dark Brown to Black/Opaque (SRM = > 34, < 44) with NE-quality clarity & garnet highlights. Nose was rich with smoke, coffee, treacle & a woodiness that I could not easily peg as oak. Mouthfeel was medium-to-full, not quite creamy, but close. The taste was quite smoky with a good deal of treacle and baker's chocolate atop leather, coffee and a woodiness that was just beyond my ken. I am not sure that I would have guessed Irish Whiskey or oak chips without their prompting, but there was something beyond mere English Stout going on. Finish was semi-dry and pleasant enough. My only bugaboo was the value added to the aging on oak chips. I just did not taste whiskey, of any stripe, strongly enough to say that it jumped out at me. This struck me as more of a novelty than something that would warrant my drinking on a regular basis. YMMV.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
have had several bottles in this series tucked away for some time now, awaiting the moment to strike. I have just been inspired by another site's user and am now embarking on a journey, not of body, but of sight, mind and casks! The eradication of the Bottle Baklog at Chez Woody continues.
From the bottle: "Oak Aged like no other beer"; "Hand-Crafted Sottish Beer"; "Scottish Stout matured with Irish Whiskey oak chips"; "Carefully matured for 60 days prior to release"; "Approved for bottling [undersigned] Esther M Binnie"; "Master Brewer [undersigned] Douglas Gunn Sharp"; "Innis & Gunn Irish Whiskey Aged Oak Aged Beer"; "This Innis & Gunn stout has been aged with Irish Whiskey oak chips. The result is a rich, complex beer with a velvety smooth finish and notes of dark chocolate, coffee and treacle."
I Pop!ped the cap & commenced a slow, gentle pour since I have gone off of aggro pours (unless warranted). Once sufficiently decanted, I gave it a vigorous in-glass swirl that raised two-plus fingers of dense, rocky, ldeep-tan/light-brown with moderate retention, leaving behind nice lacing. Color was Very Dark Brown to Black/Opaque (SRM = > 34, < 44) with NE-quality clarity & garnet highlights. Nose was rich with smoke, coffee, treacle & a woodiness that I could not easily peg as oak. Mouthfeel was medium-to-full, not quite creamy, but close. The taste was quite smoky with a good deal of treacle and baker's chocolate atop leather, coffee and a woodiness that was just beyond my ken. I am not sure that I would have guessed Irish Whiskey or oak chips without their prompting, but there was something beyond mere English Stout going on. Finish was semi-dry and pleasant enough. My only bugaboo was the value added to the aging on oak chips. I just did not taste whiskey, of any stripe, strongly enough to say that it jumped out at me. This struck me as more of a novelty than something that would warrant my drinking on a regular basis. YMMV.
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3.97/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours dark brown. Thin, foamy, tan head fades fast.
Smells caramel malt, light roast, oaky, vanilla, hints of chocolate and fruit.
Tastes Caramel malt, roasty, cream, light oaky vanilla and some light earthiness. Semi sweet finish with malt linger. Light side of full body. Creamy medium carbonation
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours dark brown. Thin, foamy, tan head fades fast.
Smells caramel malt, light roast, oaky, vanilla, hints of chocolate and fruit.
Tastes Caramel malt, roasty, cream, light oaky vanilla and some light earthiness. Semi sweet finish with malt linger. Light side of full body. Creamy medium carbonation
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2.45/5 rDev -36.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.5
A little lighter than I'd like, appearing brown-copper color. Forms a darker body with a light colored head.
Smells like peated dog turds, oak chips, chocolate, and caramel.
Flavor is not much better, in fact much of the same. Coffee grounds at the end.
Feel is thin for a stout.
No whiskey, I can't believe this was barrel aged. Pretty terrible.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.5
A little lighter than I'd like, appearing brown-copper color. Forms a darker body with a light colored head.
Smells like peated dog turds, oak chips, chocolate, and caramel.
Flavor is not much better, in fact much of the same. Coffee grounds at the end.
Feel is thin for a stout.
No whiskey, I can't believe this was barrel aged. Pretty terrible.
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4.06/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured a very dark color with ruby highlights and small, tan head. It smelled of whiskey, oak and chocolate. Big whiskey flavor with subtle oak and vanilla notes. Mild chocolate and bitterness.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured a very dark color with ruby highlights and small, tan head. It smelled of whiskey, oak and chocolate. Big whiskey flavor with subtle oak and vanilla notes. Mild chocolate and bitterness.
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3.68/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This beer pours like Coke in color and density. Thin head fades to a small layer of tan bubbles and sits there. Slight aroma of the whiskey on top of the dark malt and dark fruits. Flavor is dark fruits and brown sugar, again the whiskey is hardly noticeable. Feels a tad thicker than it looks, but could be thicker for my taste. Over all an okay beer that I would not turn down, but wouldn't seek out.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This beer pours like Coke in color and density. Thin head fades to a small layer of tan bubbles and sits there. Slight aroma of the whiskey on top of the dark malt and dark fruits. Flavor is dark fruits and brown sugar, again the whiskey is hardly noticeable. Feels a tad thicker than it looks, but could be thicker for my taste. Over all an okay beer that I would not turn down, but wouldn't seek out.
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3.74/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bottle purchased at the COOP... Pours thin black brew with a shortlived head.. Standard cocoa and light char.. Whiskey notes are light and show more as a tannic woody essence. Nice with no flaws, but nothing I will probably buy again.
3.5/3.75/3.75/3.75/3.75
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bottle purchased at the COOP... Pours thin black brew with a shortlived head.. Standard cocoa and light char.. Whiskey notes are light and show more as a tannic woody essence. Nice with no flaws, but nothing I will probably buy again.
3.5/3.75/3.75/3.75/3.75
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3.78/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
330 ml bottle into snifter, best before 10/2017. Pours clear nearly opaque dark brown color with a small fairly dense and fluffy light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, toffee, vanilla, brown sugar, dark bread, whiskey, and toasted oak; with light nuttiness, smoke, char, raisin, plum, fig, molasses, herbal, and roast/toasted earthiness. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of dark/roast/bready malt, whiskey/oak chips, and light fruity yeast notes; with solid strength. Taste of big dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, toffee, vanilla, brown sugar, dark bread, whiskey, and toasted oak; with light nuttiness, smoke, char, raisin, plum, fig, molasses, herbal, and roast/toasted earthiness. Light herbal/roast bitterness and whiskey/oak spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, toffee, vanilla, brown sugar, dark bread, whiskey, toasted oak, light nuttiness/smoke, herbal, and roast/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Very nice complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/roast/bready malt, whiskey/oak chips, and light fruity yeast flavors; with a great roasted bitter/sweet and whiskey/oak spiciness balance; with zero cloying flavors after the finish. Light dryness from bitter/spiciness, lightly increasing through the glass. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately creamy/bready, and lightly sticky/chalky/tannic balanced mouthfeel that is nice. Minimal warming alcohol for 7.4%. Overall this is a very good oak aged English stout style. All around good complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/roast/bready malt, whiskey/oak chips, and light fruity yeast flavors; very smooth and easy to drink for the ABV. Not as heavy on the yeast influence as I expected; but had a really nice presence of the Irish Whiskey/oak character, with well rounded and balanced stout complexity. A very enjoyable offering.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
330 ml bottle into snifter, best before 10/2017. Pours clear nearly opaque dark brown color with a small fairly dense and fluffy light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, toffee, vanilla, brown sugar, dark bread, whiskey, and toasted oak; with light nuttiness, smoke, char, raisin, plum, fig, molasses, herbal, and roast/toasted earthiness. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of dark/roast/bready malt, whiskey/oak chips, and light fruity yeast notes; with solid strength. Taste of big dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, toffee, vanilla, brown sugar, dark bread, whiskey, and toasted oak; with light nuttiness, smoke, char, raisin, plum, fig, molasses, herbal, and roast/toasted earthiness. Light herbal/roast bitterness and whiskey/oak spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, caramel, toffee, vanilla, brown sugar, dark bread, whiskey, toasted oak, light nuttiness/smoke, herbal, and roast/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Very nice complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/roast/bready malt, whiskey/oak chips, and light fruity yeast flavors; with a great roasted bitter/sweet and whiskey/oak spiciness balance; with zero cloying flavors after the finish. Light dryness from bitter/spiciness, lightly increasing through the glass. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately creamy/bready, and lightly sticky/chalky/tannic balanced mouthfeel that is nice. Minimal warming alcohol for 7.4%. Overall this is a very good oak aged English stout style. All around good complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/roast/bready malt, whiskey/oak chips, and light fruity yeast flavors; very smooth and easy to drink for the ABV. Not as heavy on the yeast influence as I expected; but had a really nice presence of the Irish Whiskey/oak character, with well rounded and balanced stout complexity. A very enjoyable offering.
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3.75/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a snifter/tulip/wine hybrid glass
A - A simple deep brown/black (opaque), maybe a 1/3 finger off-white (almost tan) head and little to no lacing/legs
S - The booze note here is much more prevalent than the two previous (original and rum) and quite distinct in fact -- wholly Irish indeed. Rich malts/grains, slight earthy hops, very "brown", lots of wood, vanilla, slight anise. The malt/grains stand very strong.
T - Very simple. Huge malt, very nice Irish booze, nice wood, slight hop, vanilla and outside of the booze the earth notes are huge/rich.
M - medium body, nice balance, nice complexity, medium minus carbonation and a very rich boozey finish.
D/O - Really a fan of this "old world" ale (stout). Oak, Irish whiskey and smooth, rich grains. Really very well put together and fits the mold well. This beer also goes down easy, tastes wonderful and because of it's "lighter" body, very refreshing and in more ways than one. Definitely something to drink all year long, cold and hot days and stormy or fair weather.
Final thoughts - Buy a 4-pack drink two and age two to see how this smooth ale turns even smoother. The $10 price tag is hugh for the less than 8% abv, but still worth a go or two.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured into a snifter/tulip/wine hybrid glass
A - A simple deep brown/black (opaque), maybe a 1/3 finger off-white (almost tan) head and little to no lacing/legs
S - The booze note here is much more prevalent than the two previous (original and rum) and quite distinct in fact -- wholly Irish indeed. Rich malts/grains, slight earthy hops, very "brown", lots of wood, vanilla, slight anise. The malt/grains stand very strong.
T - Very simple. Huge malt, very nice Irish booze, nice wood, slight hop, vanilla and outside of the booze the earth notes are huge/rich.
M - medium body, nice balance, nice complexity, medium minus carbonation and a very rich boozey finish.
D/O - Really a fan of this "old world" ale (stout). Oak, Irish whiskey and smooth, rich grains. Really very well put together and fits the mold well. This beer also goes down easy, tastes wonderful and because of it's "lighter" body, very refreshing and in more ways than one. Definitely something to drink all year long, cold and hot days and stormy or fair weather.
Final thoughts - Buy a 4-pack drink two and age two to see how this smooth ale turns even smoother. The $10 price tag is hugh for the less than 8% abv, but still worth a go or two.
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4.12/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Innis & Gunn "Irish Whiskey Aged Scottish Stout"
11.2 fl. oz. brown glass bottle, "BBE NOV 17" and sampled on 15 FEB 2017
$2.99 @ Total Wine & More, Cherry Hill, NJ
Notes via stream of consciousness: I am an idiot. I've had Innis & Gunn beers before and thought they were great, but I wasn't sure how it would be with Irish Whiskey. I'd imagined it'd be too dry and harsh. DUH!!! This one is a Scottish Stout, so obviously it'll stand up to it. Interesting pour with a kind of a fizzy head. The brown black body and dark tan head look great though. It smells like stout with dark chocolate, caramel, and a light roastiness, but also some fruit, alcohol, and a wee hint of wood, and perhaps even vanilla. The head has dropped at this point, just a few minutes in, to a better than whispy but not completely solid surface covering. Only a few spots of initial lacing are left behind. Let see what a sip does... it left a few more tiny spots, but they seem to be fading. Oh well, so much for the head retention and lacing. The flavor was interesting but I didn't pick up Irish whiskey. (Very nice packaging on these beers by the way). I initially thought it was vanilla in the flavor, but is it actually some butteriness that I'm finding? In any case, it's got a golden caramel note to it, which is nice, and the chocolate is very reserved. There's also a sweet, dark caramel note that's almost like burnt sugar and I wonder if that's the light roastiness coming into play. It's a very good base beer all around as best I can tell, and I'm not sure what the "Irish Whiskey Oak Chips" might have done for it although there is somewhat of an alcohol note to it. Of course at 7.4% ABV that could be coming from the beer itself as well, but I think it's not, I think I am finding Irish whiskey in the finish. Looking back at the beer the head is completely gone now except for a very thin ring around the edge. It's medium to medium-light in body and very smooth with a restrained carbonation level. I'm not sure if that helps it or hinders it, but I'll assume they've tasted it different ways and know what they're doing. I am now definitely getting a smack of something at the back of the finish that's like Irish whiskey. The caramel remains, lingering, not really sweet, but with a distinct flavor note for quite some time. It's nice. I'm thinking of it more as a sipping beer, something for after dinner with telly, or even with dinner - I think it might be a great accompaniment to either roast beef or chicken with gravy and mash. Or as a nightcap; I don't see myself ordering one of these when out at pub with the lads, not because it's not good, but because it's really too good, too complex, to be wasted in that situation. Well, maybe just my first pint. Let's see if I can come up with anything else on the flavor? Bitterness. Moderate, but present. It lingers in the finish like the dust moving in the rays of light through the window blinds. And that against the almost ghostly caramel note is really magical - nicely balanced. It starts great, it crosses the middle great, and then it lingers even better. Superb! Certainly unique and well worth trying, especially for fans of Scottish ales.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Innis & Gunn "Irish Whiskey Aged Scottish Stout"
11.2 fl. oz. brown glass bottle, "BBE NOV 17" and sampled on 15 FEB 2017
$2.99 @ Total Wine & More, Cherry Hill, NJ
Notes via stream of consciousness: I am an idiot. I've had Innis & Gunn beers before and thought they were great, but I wasn't sure how it would be with Irish Whiskey. I'd imagined it'd be too dry and harsh. DUH!!! This one is a Scottish Stout, so obviously it'll stand up to it. Interesting pour with a kind of a fizzy head. The brown black body and dark tan head look great though. It smells like stout with dark chocolate, caramel, and a light roastiness, but also some fruit, alcohol, and a wee hint of wood, and perhaps even vanilla. The head has dropped at this point, just a few minutes in, to a better than whispy but not completely solid surface covering. Only a few spots of initial lacing are left behind. Let see what a sip does... it left a few more tiny spots, but they seem to be fading. Oh well, so much for the head retention and lacing. The flavor was interesting but I didn't pick up Irish whiskey. (Very nice packaging on these beers by the way). I initially thought it was vanilla in the flavor, but is it actually some butteriness that I'm finding? In any case, it's got a golden caramel note to it, which is nice, and the chocolate is very reserved. There's also a sweet, dark caramel note that's almost like burnt sugar and I wonder if that's the light roastiness coming into play. It's a very good base beer all around as best I can tell, and I'm not sure what the "Irish Whiskey Oak Chips" might have done for it although there is somewhat of an alcohol note to it. Of course at 7.4% ABV that could be coming from the beer itself as well, but I think it's not, I think I am finding Irish whiskey in the finish. Looking back at the beer the head is completely gone now except for a very thin ring around the edge. It's medium to medium-light in body and very smooth with a restrained carbonation level. I'm not sure if that helps it or hinders it, but I'll assume they've tasted it different ways and know what they're doing. I am now definitely getting a smack of something at the back of the finish that's like Irish whiskey. The caramel remains, lingering, not really sweet, but with a distinct flavor note for quite some time. It's nice. I'm thinking of it more as a sipping beer, something for after dinner with telly, or even with dinner - I think it might be a great accompaniment to either roast beef or chicken with gravy and mash. Or as a nightcap; I don't see myself ordering one of these when out at pub with the lads, not because it's not good, but because it's really too good, too complex, to be wasted in that situation. Well, maybe just my first pint. Let's see if I can come up with anything else on the flavor? Bitterness. Moderate, but present. It lingers in the finish like the dust moving in the rays of light through the window blinds. And that against the almost ghostly caramel note is really magical - nicely balanced. It starts great, it crosses the middle great, and then it lingers even better. Superb! Certainly unique and well worth trying, especially for fans of Scottish ales.
3,200 characters
3.69/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 330mL bottle into a snifter
L- Nearly pitch black with a few bubbles forming around the top but absolutely no head. Honestly looks like a flat pop.
S- Not overly aromatic but it has notes of vanilla, black licorice, caramel, dates, raisins, chocolate. Also detecting a strong milk smell.
T- Has a similar flavors as the smell but this beer is very hard to describe. It tastes almost like a milk stout but also a strong whiskey presence on the finish.
F- Very creamy with a medium. I like the feel but i find the lack of carbonation off-putting.
O- This was my first beer from this brewery and i found it very unique. Not head over heels for it but I would like to try what else they have to offer.
711 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 330mL bottle into a snifter
L- Nearly pitch black with a few bubbles forming around the top but absolutely no head. Honestly looks like a flat pop.
S- Not overly aromatic but it has notes of vanilla, black licorice, caramel, dates, raisins, chocolate. Also detecting a strong milk smell.
T- Has a similar flavors as the smell but this beer is very hard to describe. It tastes almost like a milk stout but also a strong whiskey presence on the finish.
F- Very creamy with a medium. I like the feel but i find the lack of carbonation off-putting.
O- This was my first beer from this brewery and i found it very unique. Not head over heels for it but I would like to try what else they have to offer.
711 characters
3.8/5 rDev -1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Black, brown edges up to the light, with a finger of tan, creamy head that slowly fades and lightly sticks to the glass. Aroma is really subtle, ya gotta dig. Dark chocolate, java, mildly dark roasted malt. The whiskey is there, but mild, as well. Taste, again, mild and reserved. Very smooth. Roasted malt and chocolate sweetness up front. Then you get the woody, whiskey vibe and a mild, lasting bitterness. Dry on the palate, mild carbonation, medium thin body, drinks like a porter. The alcohol/whiskey flavor lingers, too, the more I drink it. Overall, nice layers, and quite subtle.
588 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Black, brown edges up to the light, with a finger of tan, creamy head that slowly fades and lightly sticks to the glass. Aroma is really subtle, ya gotta dig. Dark chocolate, java, mildly dark roasted malt. The whiskey is there, but mild, as well. Taste, again, mild and reserved. Very smooth. Roasted malt and chocolate sweetness up front. Then you get the woody, whiskey vibe and a mild, lasting bitterness. Dry on the palate, mild carbonation, medium thin body, drinks like a porter. The alcohol/whiskey flavor lingers, too, the more I drink it. Overall, nice layers, and quite subtle.
588 characters
4/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Holding on to Scottish brewing roots while modernizing at the same time, the Innis & Gunn team shows that they can be respectful of history but not restrained by it.
Their Irish Whiskey Aged Stout is a moderately strong stout with a dark brown, deep garnet pour. Its creamy tan froth rolls onto the senses with molasses, dark fruit, a tingle of sweet and spicy Irish whiskey and then the peppery earth character that's faintly of the northern British bogs with a swift pass of the nose. Those molasses influences greet the tongue along with gentle roast, toast and deeply seared in malt sweetness.
As the middle palate unfolds, the beer's remarkable complexities begin to bloom. Sweetness lifts while the toasty and robust remnants of malt give a taste of black walnut to the drying, roasty malt character. Dates, fig, raisin and light prune offer a tar-like taste just ahead of the peppery, peaten earthiness that follows. Whisky spice, charred oak and the barrel's caramels close the session with a dry and spicy bite.
Creamy and dry, the beer's soft but robust upstart is gentle on the palate while finishing with powdery char. Remarkably crisp and somewhat refreshing, a minerally "snap" ensures a highly palatable finish with a medium length afterglow of peppery peat and irish whisky.
1,294 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Holding on to Scottish brewing roots while modernizing at the same time, the Innis & Gunn team shows that they can be respectful of history but not restrained by it.
Their Irish Whiskey Aged Stout is a moderately strong stout with a dark brown, deep garnet pour. Its creamy tan froth rolls onto the senses with molasses, dark fruit, a tingle of sweet and spicy Irish whiskey and then the peppery earth character that's faintly of the northern British bogs with a swift pass of the nose. Those molasses influences greet the tongue along with gentle roast, toast and deeply seared in malt sweetness.
As the middle palate unfolds, the beer's remarkable complexities begin to bloom. Sweetness lifts while the toasty and robust remnants of malt give a taste of black walnut to the drying, roasty malt character. Dates, fig, raisin and light prune offer a tar-like taste just ahead of the peppery, peaten earthiness that follows. Whisky spice, charred oak and the barrel's caramels close the session with a dry and spicy bite.
Creamy and dry, the beer's soft but robust upstart is gentle on the palate while finishing with powdery char. Remarkably crisp and somewhat refreshing, a minerally "snap" ensures a highly palatable finish with a medium length afterglow of peppery peat and irish whisky.
1,294 characters
3.79/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Nose roasted malt, dark fruit, faint whisky, caramel, & oak, light chocolate slight spice. vanilla. Taste slightly sweet; medium body, much the same as aroma.
158 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Nose roasted malt, dark fruit, faint whisky, caramel, & oak, light chocolate slight spice. vanilla. Taste slightly sweet; medium body, much the same as aroma.
158 characters
4.01/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
The whiskey flavor is not overpowering which makes this a great beer. I've had others that the whiskey overwhelms everything and I get tired of it before i finish one beer, I could drink numerous of these.
205 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
The whiskey flavor is not overpowering which makes this a great beer. I've had others that the whiskey overwhelms everything and I get tired of it before i finish one beer, I could drink numerous of these.
205 characters
4.08/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This beer pours very black. There was minimal head when poured from the bottle. The nose I get hints of chocolate, there's also a slight booziness to it. The taste is interesting. I get flavors that I can not describe easily. I like it. it tastes delicious, but it's hard to describe. The feel isn't very thick, somewhat watery, but smooth going down, and it goes down easily. Overall, not bad.
394 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This beer pours very black. There was minimal head when poured from the bottle. The nose I get hints of chocolate, there's also a slight booziness to it. The taste is interesting. I get flavors that I can not describe easily. I like it. it tastes delicious, but it's hard to describe. The feel isn't very thick, somewhat watery, but smooth going down, and it goes down easily. Overall, not bad.
394 characters
Irish Whiskey Aged Scottish Stout from Innis & Gunn
Beer rating:
86 out of
100 with
709 ratings
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