This beer has a very malty aroma with roasted grain and strong chocolate notes. The color is black as can be without any light passing through. The head pours very thick with good retention and large bubbles.The taste is very roasty and malty with a burnt smoky taste. Being a Scottish beer peat smoked malt is likely used. There is some bitterness with no noticeable hop flavors. This stout has some sweetness and even a hint of fruit esters. The mouthfeel is very thin, surprising for a beer with such a thick head. The finish is malty with a hint of smoke.
This is a really good stout, lots of strong flavors and all well blended. With a little more body this beer could be mistaken for an Imperial Stout with so much flavor but it only has 4% alcohol. A really good beer.
2 comments:
"Being a Scottish beer peat smoked malt is likely used."
I hesitate to contradict you, but are you sure of this? I've found no instances of actual peated malt being used by Scottish beer breweries...whisky distilleries yes, but beer, well, let's say I was an unfortunate experimenter with a pound of peated malt. Peated malt is great when distilled, but in my experience as a homebrewer and my understanding of Scottish ale, it has no place in beer. I would be eager to learn if I am mistaken, though.
I guess I am just assuming that peat smoked malt is used in this beer. I know peat smoked malt is listed in the BJCP under other smoked beers. http://www.bjcp.org/styles04/Category22.html
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