Beer Log: Dark Island Reserve
Name: Dark Island Reserve
ABV: 10%
Style: Scottish Ale
Brewed in the Orkney Isles, this is a small batch ale that is hand bottled and then a small amount of that is exported out. From what I understand only 300 bottles a year are imported into the US.
This is a dark, mahogany ale, that smells of whisky. Of course, the fact that its aged in whisky casks helps, a lot. This was a very smooth ale that was almost dangerously easy to drink, especially at that 10%.
This is an ale that tells you up front "I'm a ale, you deft wee fucker." The malt is not hiding behind any hops, and is, in fact, pushed straight to the front of the flavor profile. This could almost be a winter ale, except, you know, in the Orkneys, where ale is what they drink when taking a break from whisky.