Russell's Reserve Smoked Scotch Ale
Beehive Basin Brewery

This beer is kinda scary to me. A wee heavy smoked beer aged in Russell's Reserve barrels. Poured into a pint glass has a two finger frothy creamy head with good retention. The body of the beer is a ruby brown and nearly opaque. I can see some carbonation forming from the bottom.

The beer has a strong note of bourbon, vanilla, oak, charr, peat, earthy, caramel, chocolate, toasted malts, smoke, a subtle sweet note, fruity, and floral esters.

Wow, what a combination in a beer and oddly it works. The smoke this there but not overpowering. The scotch ale is there too, with the bourbon vanilla notes, oaks, char. A subtle peat note, earthy, sea air, fruity, caramel, toasted malts, chocolate, and floral esters.

Mouthfeel of the beer is medium plus, medium carbonation, slightly astringent, and medium plus finish.

I was so unsure about this beer, frankly scared me. The beer is well balanced, not too much smoke and the barrel age gives the beer a mellowness that makes this smoked beer easier to drink. Seriously Beehive Basin you really nailed this beer.