Dark Island Reserve | Orkney Brewery

4.04/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

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.

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4.05/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

4.4/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

4.35/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

3.91/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

4.23/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

3.76/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Consumed on 02/14/2016.

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3.99/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Thick, oily and almost black. Wispy dark brown head.
Complex bouquet. Rich, roasted malt. Smoky.
Taste follows the nose. Burnt bitterness is rather off-putting. Hint of vanilla.
Viscous. A very slow sipper.

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4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

4.26/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

750 ml swing top bottle, bottled on November 15, 2013, Gyle 682. Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with maybe a half inch tan head. Head retention is decent, and there isn't much lacing. Aroma is nice, the brew smells like dark fruit (figs, dates), whisky, chocolate, caramel and vanilla. The taste is similar to the aroma, but with the addition of burnt/charred malt, coffee, red grapes, woodiness, and sweet spices. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's a bit creamy and slick with low carbonation. Overall I thought this was a pretty good brew. The whisky barrel character is certainly noticeable, but not overpowering. Definitely worth a try if you've never had it before.

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4.52/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

What a wonderfully smooth, rich, and DARK Scottish ale! The oak barrels imparted a lot of vanilla and whiskey notes into this, but its smoothness is deceptive and wonderful. Definitely recommended if you can find it!

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4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

4.46/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

330ml swing top bottle, purchased at the brewery.

Black with tan head. Nice pleasant aroma of whisky, vanilla, milk chocolate. Great taste and very smooth mouthfeel. This ones a winner.

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4.12/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

3.97/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

4.34/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

4.4/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

3.96/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

3.88/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

4.77/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75