Islay Whisky Cask Aged Abduction
Pipeworks Brewing Co.
- From:
- Pipeworks Brewing Co.
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 13%
- Score:
- +5 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 4.57 | pDev: 5.03%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 4
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jun 26, 2025
- Added:
- Aug 22, 2024
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
-
-
Aliens abducted our Imperial Stout and aged it Laphroaig Scottish Whisky Casks imparting a deep complexity, and subtle peat smoke character to our chocolatey, rich Imperial Stout.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by stortore from Illinois
4.39/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.39/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
16 ounce can into a snifter. Canned 5/29/24, had 11/8/24.
Pours near black and opaque, with only a sizzle of a head and a few specks of cling. Aromas of peat, oak, roasted malt, molasses, some scotch whiskey, some chocolate, and a spicy aroma I can’t place. Smells smoky. Flavors of scotch whiskey, peat, oak, roasted malt, chocolate, some molasses. Tastes a little smoky. Smooth, a little creamy if you can believe it, a very good full body, appropriately carbonated.
Solid all around and really well executed. A great effort by PW. Really tasty barrels, lots of oak and a good amount of peat. Very enjoyable.
Jun 26, 2025Pours near black and opaque, with only a sizzle of a head and a few specks of cling. Aromas of peat, oak, roasted malt, molasses, some scotch whiskey, some chocolate, and a spicy aroma I can’t place. Smells smoky. Flavors of scotch whiskey, peat, oak, roasted malt, chocolate, some molasses. Tastes a little smoky. Smooth, a little creamy if you can believe it, a very good full body, appropriately carbonated.
Solid all around and really well executed. A great effort by PW. Really tasty barrels, lots of oak and a good amount of peat. Very enjoyable.
Reviewed by ChicagoJ from Illinois
4.37/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.37/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
1/10/25 - (Can - Home) (Chicago, IL) Can Notes: Purchased a single can for $11.01 with tax on August 23, 2024 at the Pipeworks Dojo, refrigerated at home until this evening. 16 oz canned May 29, 2024. 13.0% ABV. Imperial Stout aged in Laphroaig Islay Whisky Casks. Label Art by Beejay Olson. 2024 Pipeworks Brewing Company. Brewed and Canned in Chicago, Illinois.
Appearance: Poured a bit over half the can into a hand held snifter. Sludgy thickness. Faint dark tan black head lasts a minute before leaving no trace over the dark black pour with slight dark brown hues. 4.25
Aroma: Very smoky peat. Smells like smoked sausage and maple syrup. Base aroma AWOL. Somewhat harsh, at least for my tastes, but still pleasant. A bit trepidatious to dive in. 4.0
Taste: Consistent with aroma, smokey peat front and center. More pepper than sausage or maple syrup backing. Tastes more smooth than the aroma would make one expect. Raspberries and tart cherries as well. Warmed up for near 30 minutes, enjoying more as I progress from the intimidating 16 oz serving. 4.5
Mouthfeel: Sweet as the fruit warms up, smokey peat provides a nice balance. This fees strong from Go!, stronger than the already high 13.0% ABV. Gooey medium to full body, looked thicker than it feels. Smokey peat raspberry finish. Nice. 4.5
Overall: I've always been intimidated by scotch from an early life experience, but every time I've tried barrel treatments and or scotch ale treatments, I'm pleased once I get past the at times aroma. I have limited experience with peat / scotch, but I like what I'm gleaming from these Laphroaig Islay Whisky Casks, and I would imagine scotch fans will love this offering. The 16 oz size is a factor for me, as I'd prefer to either share with 1-2 others, or have this solo, but in terms of having the chance to try tonight, I am pleased with the experience, and would purchase future offerings of this or similar treatment with confidence. Well done Pipeworks. 4.5
Jan 11, 2025Appearance: Poured a bit over half the can into a hand held snifter. Sludgy thickness. Faint dark tan black head lasts a minute before leaving no trace over the dark black pour with slight dark brown hues. 4.25
Aroma: Very smoky peat. Smells like smoked sausage and maple syrup. Base aroma AWOL. Somewhat harsh, at least for my tastes, but still pleasant. A bit trepidatious to dive in. 4.0
Taste: Consistent with aroma, smokey peat front and center. More pepper than sausage or maple syrup backing. Tastes more smooth than the aroma would make one expect. Raspberries and tart cherries as well. Warmed up for near 30 minutes, enjoying more as I progress from the intimidating 16 oz serving. 4.5
Mouthfeel: Sweet as the fruit warms up, smokey peat provides a nice balance. This fees strong from Go!, stronger than the already high 13.0% ABV. Gooey medium to full body, looked thicker than it feels. Smokey peat raspberry finish. Nice. 4.5
Overall: I've always been intimidated by scotch from an early life experience, but every time I've tried barrel treatments and or scotch ale treatments, I'm pleased once I get past the at times aroma. I have limited experience with peat / scotch, but I like what I'm gleaming from these Laphroaig Islay Whisky Casks, and I would imagine scotch fans will love this offering. The 16 oz size is a factor for me, as I'd prefer to either share with 1-2 others, or have this solo, but in terms of having the chance to try tonight, I am pleased with the experience, and would purchase future offerings of this or similar treatment with confidence. Well done Pipeworks. 4.5
Reviewed by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota
4.6/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
4.6/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
16 oz can mfgr 5/29/24 into a snifter.
L: SRM 40+ pours used motor oil jet black w/a 1/4" thick semi-soapy medium brown colored head that recedes to thick edge foam, very low carbonation, light random lacing.
S: Char, somewhat astringent Islay Whiskey, dark chocolate, a good dose of dark berries, a hint of grape.
T: Gently sweet, a peat halo, Islay Whiskey, sea spray, sea grass, dark berries, very earthy charred grains, espresso, semi-sweet dark chocolate, roasted malts, distant toffee, a red wine note, gently nutty/oaky in the palate, bitter in the center. Very complex tastes with complex smoke notes into and throughout the long linger and complex aftertaste.
F: Very lightly brisk then smooth, mellow, and glossy heavy-bodied mouthfeel and a very long moderately drying finish. It is lightly chest-warming.
O: The taste of this beer is big. Quite flavorful, smooth drinking, and complex. Flavors expand and morph with warming over time. Here it is simply put: dark fruits, dark semi-sweet chocolate all in an Islay barrel. A firm sipper. It might taste a little "dirty" to some but I enjoy it. It is World-class in its style.
Oct 16, 2024L: SRM 40+ pours used motor oil jet black w/a 1/4" thick semi-soapy medium brown colored head that recedes to thick edge foam, very low carbonation, light random lacing.
S: Char, somewhat astringent Islay Whiskey, dark chocolate, a good dose of dark berries, a hint of grape.
T: Gently sweet, a peat halo, Islay Whiskey, sea spray, sea grass, dark berries, very earthy charred grains, espresso, semi-sweet dark chocolate, roasted malts, distant toffee, a red wine note, gently nutty/oaky in the palate, bitter in the center. Very complex tastes with complex smoke notes into and throughout the long linger and complex aftertaste.
F: Very lightly brisk then smooth, mellow, and glossy heavy-bodied mouthfeel and a very long moderately drying finish. It is lightly chest-warming.
O: The taste of this beer is big. Quite flavorful, smooth drinking, and complex. Flavors expand and morph with warming over time. Here it is simply put: dark fruits, dark semi-sweet chocolate all in an Islay barrel. A firm sipper. It might taste a little "dirty" to some but I enjoy it. It is World-class in its style.
Reviewed by JohnnyHopps from Indiana
5/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Appearance - The beer was inky black in appearance Was a slight head topping the glass.
Smell - The Islay really came through in the nose. Not everybody will like this one.
Taste - The Islay whisky notes led the way. There were notes of smoke and peat, before the an undercurrent of chocolate. Cherry notes followed. The smoke linked, leaving behind what some call band-aid/permanent marker notes.
Mouthfeel - The viscosity allowed the smoke to linger.
Overall - Islay whisky is not for everybody. Some will hate the beer passionately. Those who love a peaty bottle of scotch will appreciate how well done this was.
Aug 25, 2024Smell - The Islay really came through in the nose. Not everybody will like this one.
Taste - The Islay whisky notes led the way. There were notes of smoke and peat, before the an undercurrent of chocolate. Cherry notes followed. The smoke linked, leaving behind what some call band-aid/permanent marker notes.
Mouthfeel - The viscosity allowed the smoke to linger.
Overall - Islay whisky is not for everybody. Some will hate the beer passionately. Those who love a peaty bottle of scotch will appreciate how well done this was.
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