Scotch Barrel Aged Beer

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24299/83150/

 

The new chronology is a Scottish ale aged in bourbon barrels.

I was at Hair of the Dog in October '15. They had Single Malt Adam. There must have been a lot of Scotch still in that barrel, the beer was a super boozy smokey peat bomb. But I really enjoyed the taster!

 

There was this, it was interesting. Tasted exactly like scotch and water.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/583/87209/

 

I know the Ola Dubh I have is aged in Highland Park casks.

 

I would LOVE to see Founders age the scotch ale in Scotch barrels.

 

I've always heard that Scotch whiskies themselves (and most if not all Irish whiskies as well for that matter) usually get their main aging in used bourbon barrels???
Any whiskey experts here to confirm or deny?
Just curious.

 

Used bourbon barrels are in high demand from Scotlands distillers.

 

Exactly. I prefer scotch with zero smoke flavor

 

Laphroaig & Lagavulin seem to be the popular choices for Islays, but it seems like everyone always forgets about Ardbeg's Uigeadail & Corryvreckan.

 

I can get Ardbeg here I've never had it though, With prices here what they are I usually grab Laphroaig 10.

 

I was so excited to try this beer 2 or 3 years ago. My friend and I had to travel through LA rush hour traffic to get our pours and when we finally did, we were both devastated by how disgusting the beer was. It was one of the worst beers I ever had.

 

A whole pour, impossible I took 2-3 sips and poured it out. Guess Islay whiskey and beer isn't a great match.

 

I think it might have been a 10 oz pour. I should have gotten a taster but I was certain it would be delicious based on their calvados treatment, which I loved.

As for other beers, I had a Stone 15th Anniversary aged in highland casks (i don't remember the distillery) and I thought it was phenomenal. I think HotD did a treatment of Adam aged in scotch (i think Ardbeg) barrels but I heard it wasn't very good.

 

The rum barrel version is insanely good.

 

Brewdog had a series of scotch barrel stouts. Have been searching for them to no avail.

 

I've never got any smoke off a Highland Whiskey. I had some Dalwhinnie 15 year old that was just phenomenal, it's easily a world class whiskey. If they don't use peat logs to smoke the barley I don't see how you get any smoke at all. But the Islay stuff is definitely an acquired taste, one I took to right off the bat. I love the smoke, salty seaweed flavor, but again I can't see how anyone could drink a beer that tasted like vinegar.

 

Wow. Shocked to hear that.
That certainly wasn't my experience with that brew. Around 22 years ago (approximately) my local here in central NJ had the JW Lees/Lagavulin (surprisingly enough) and it was nothing short of awesome.
I guess it's just a matter of taste. I do like malt forward brews and this one was sweet-ish but had a very nice balance and any "peat" character was definitely present, but not overwhelming everything else in the complex flavor . It was far from cloying. It actually sold out quite quickly
Different strokes. I suppose...just goes to show how varied our tastes can be.

 

I, too, was shocked because I do enjoy Lagavulin, but the barrel treatment didn't work for me. I remember it being very medicinal. Maybe there's batch variation or different from the bottle, but I'd be reluctant to try it again.

 

Trinity Brewing tweeted this useful guide just today: http://www.drinkingcup.net/understanding-maturation-part-1-know-your-casks/

The link above does confirm this.

See the reviews for Xyauyu Fumé. Islay worked with that one for sure.

I'd like to try this. The only other Xyauyu I've had is the Etichetta Oro and that was just stunning. I picked up a set of 4 of the Lune and Terre (red and white wine barrels) and I'm really excited to try them (once I finish detoxing).

 

I've been wanting to try this for awhile now.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/11031/73705/