Dark Island Reserve
Orkney Brewery

 

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

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just an absolutely fabulous world-class beer. I now have 5 bottles and I'm celebrating for special occasions.