BrewDog Paradox Islay (Batch 001)

Formerly brewed at BrewDog
Style: Imperial Stout
Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Bottle, 10%. Batch 006. Vinous plastic aroma, some liquorice after a little while. Black colour, seems a little muddy and quite oily. Very small brown head. The flavour is quite powerful. Starts off rather smoky, then the whisky notes appear along with some peat. Very late high bitterness and harshly roasted coffee. There is also some sweetness, mostly associated with liquorice notes. Quite low carbonation, but nice. The mouthfeel is thick, but not quite as oily as it looks. Complex and very nice. Unfortunately, the flavour gets some of the same plastic notes as aroma when it warms.

Near black colored, medium sized beige head. Strongly whisky aroma with smoke, licorice, vanilla and oak. Medium to full bodied. Flavor has also this strong whiskey-smoke tone, dries strongly with also this oaky-vanilla. Hops in aftertaste with lasting smoke. Maybe still too one-dimensional flavor.

12oz bottle. Poured a dark brown with red edges and an averaged sized off white head. Aromas of peat, earthy, smoke meat, chocolate, and some whiskey. Tastes of some whiskey, vanilla, chocolate, lighter earthiness, woody, and roasty. Some lacing left on the glass.

Bottle. Black colour with a small beige head and some lacing. Rich aroma and taste of licorice, chocolate and taste. Finishes with taste of smoke and whiskey.

Bottle (330ml). Shared with blankboy, GregClow and tupalev, my bottle from UtoBeer, Borough Market, London. Clear deep brown-red, small bubbly beige head. Served at cellar temperature. Aroma - wow; hardwood smoke, peat, iodine, seasalt, background roast malt and mild herbal hops. Taste - double wow! (Jer, this would KILL you ...) - like chewing a charred log out of the fireplace - ash, peat, heavy smoke, light hops and malt, iodine and a salty linger - oh yeah, this is an Islay. Light body, incredibly astringent/acidic (duh - the cask?) - not much carbonation, but who cares - a long, smokey bitter salty finish. Not for the faint of palate, but if you love a good malt, this is a must. I must say, not all that "stout"-y. But I don’t care about that, either. Astonishing, but I’ll be happy to go a long time before having it again.

Bottle. Small to no head. Clear dark mahogany color with a flat look. Spare lacework. Heavy tar and part with also some whisky and alcohol that hits the nose. If you look past that, some smoke and roasted malt comes through. Some underlying coffee and chocolate over the palate. Full bodied with a soft carbonation with a dry texture. Moderated mix of sweet and bitter flavor. Bitter liquorish finish that lingers.

Smell is smoke, wood, whiskey, and a little beef. Dark brown to black in color almost clear with a thin tan head. Taste is smoke and whiskey. A good body with the alchol getting you at the end of the sip.

Bottled. Batch 006. Pitch black coloured. Light brown fluffy head. Tart, cordage, light cocoa and heavy smoke. Is quite balanced and has some oaky notes. Flavour is dominated by the cordage and tarty notes. Is heavily smoked and has some fruity and oaky notes. Alcohol notable. Again a nice balance. Is smoky and tarty in the end. Dry. Some alcoholwarmth on the palate. Funny one.