Wee Heavy
Upright Brewing Company

Poured into a MacAndrew's thistle glass. A bit of a gusher; something I don't see from cans very often and I wasn't ready to catch all of this one. Pours medium to dark coppery amber with a two finger off-white head that dissipates to a thick, persistent cap. Aroma of caramel malt, dates, raisins, a touch of smoke and whiskey. Flavor is caramel malt, whiskey, toffee, dates, raisins and peat, which persists in the malty, whiskey finish. Medium bodied with moderate creaminess and sharp carbonation. A wee heavy barreled in whiskey casks is a great idea and this displays its qualities very nicely. I wish I had drunk this earlier, since the over-active carbonation hints that this may have changed a bit in the can. Nevertheless, there are no off flavors except a mild tea-like astringency in the finish which could have been intended. I'd like to see more of this style barreled, but will remember not to let it age in the future. The base is too style for a Scotch ale and the whiskey adds some nice character. Enjoyable.

16oz can (packaged 12/11/2023) into a tulip. Pours a glowing amber/tea color with a thin eggshell head.

Aroma is malty and bready, also with a subtle tea-like quality. Apples and other fruits, vague holiday spice.

Taste leads off with malty sweetness, balanced quickly by bitter Old World hops. A caramel grainy quality not unlike a marzen. Honey. Toffee. Warm freshly baked whole wheat bread. Bourbon presence is subtle, some vanilla notes. More of that vaguely tea-like quality, maybe jasmine or Earl Grey.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, lingering finish. Warming.

Overall a tasty scotch wee heavy, might be better enjoyed with a good book next to a crackling fire. Actually makes me think of scotch whisky.

L: Clear copper body, very fizzy head.
S: Sweet. Rich caramel, aromatic almost floral vanilla, hints of dark fruit, honey, fairly boozy.
T: Follows the nose. Lots of caramel and honey, with a punch of syrupy dark fruit, mainly fig, a whisky type spiciness that really comes out on the finish, and peat.
F: Lightly carbonated, thin, quite warm.
O: Rich, boozy, warm. Enjoyable complexity and a great slow sipper; I especially like the woody, spicy scotch flavors.

Can from Mongers

A clear deep mahogany brown with a thin, light brown head. The nose is boozy and warming, with vanilla, bourbon, caramel, toffee, butterscotch. Light treacle. Mild savory notes of deep kettle caramelization. The palate opens mildly sweet and medium in body with warming booze, vanilla, cream sherry. Mild dark fruit. Toffee, butterscotch, dark caramel, leather follow. Drying, creamy with light sweetness on the finish. This opens up beautifully as it warms up.