BrewDog Paradox Isle of Arran (Batch 016)

Brewed by BrewDog
Style: Imperial Stout
Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Totally fresh bottle: A faint nose of vanilla, whiskey, chocolate and a bit of metallic funk. Taste is of vanilla, chocolate, metal and a raw note of whiskey, tar and smoke. Body is a bit thin. Finish is a little acidic, bitter and dry. Alcohol comes through as it reaches room temperature. To sum it up: The bitterness is too present, the notes of whiskey are too hay-like and raw, and the other flavors doesn’t quite come out and/or melt together. It probably has to settle down a bit. Just 3 months or so.

12 oz bottle courtesy of cgarvieuk. Thanks again, Craig.. all the way from across the pond! A stand up man, and a good time on the Thursday before DLD! Pours a pitchblack pour, opaque, light carnbonation leads to a small light brownish head that laces minimally, is small and dies to a film. Aromas are a nice chocolatey base, roasted malts, peaty smoke in full demand, almost a little meaty, with a nice dose of boozy whiskey, smoothed over with vanilla and wet wood. A touch salty and full, this beer starts with a full body that certainly coats the mouth if anything, lighter booziness than anticipated, this thick beer is chocolate, roasted malts, peat, vanilla, and a faint coffee. Light whiskey and wet wood, the alcohol warmth grows on the back of the palate. This beer isn’t a "Smack you in the face beer", insteading opting full body and smooth flavors, a nice display of peaty smoke, wet wood, a touch of meat and a decent booziness that grows. This is a very nice beer.. a bit understated, I really liked it. Cheers.

Cask. Black body with brown head. Aroma is moderately sweet, chocolate, some caramel, roast. Taste is moderately sweet, chocolate, some roast, light wood, faint whisky. Medium-full body, smooth, light stickiness.

33cl bottle. Very dark chestnut brown, coarse beige head. Whiskey smokey aroma, little BBQ, salty licorice, sweet molasses, very good balance with the peaty whisky alcohol, hints of buttery vanilla and dried fruitiness. Flavor has molasses, wood, earth, balanced whisky, mentholey wood chips and bitter cocoa in the slightly coarse finish, mild bitterness and hint of berry wine. Not that roasty of burned, more like a darker Traquair-style barley wine. Not that thick, slick palate. I loved this one, a real easy treat.

Bottle... Poured black with a thin, bubbly, light brown head. Aroma of bread-like malts and whiskey. Low carbonated palate and a little dry with dark malts, coffee and irish cream-like alcohol notes. Big time grains with a nice booziness to the brew. A nice dark and boozy beer with a cocoa and coffee quality to it.

Black brew with a thin brown cap, ample silty lacing. Wonderful aroma. Chocolate and more chocolate.. there is more.. what is it? Wet grain, odd old musty anesthetic mint, old wood chips, sweet caramelly vanilla (vanilla is very very mellow). Maybe the mint is more of an ancient mint in a baking pantry from 1960. The taste also does not disappoint - chocolate, soft alcohol, maybe .. maybe weak coffee, a mild beer for 10% strength. Dark fruit, bitterness of a raisin, some wood on the breath, solid grain aftertaste that is very familiar to me due to the scotch addiction. Creamy, velvety soft on the mouth, near zero alcohol burn, finally some roasted bitterness on the finish. Very drinkable but nothing over the top.

Bottle and served in Bells snifter: Near black with mahogany highlights supported by a small thin beige frothy head and minimal lace. The nose is a wonderful mix of Dunhill Night Cap pipe tobacco, peat bog, olden oak barrels, smoky scotch, some chocolate and coffee, fig and prune, and a kiss of heather. The taste follows suit with heavy tobacco and leathery overtones supported by dark fruits, chocolate, vanilla, charred oak barrels and a touch of star anise. Wonderfully balanced where the barrel does not dominate the stout nor visa-verse. The mouth feel is a tad thin but that does make it a bit dangerous to drink as well. It reminds me a bit of the Shoreline BA Lost Sailor but with more peaty and smoky notes. Like someone mixed the BA Lost Sailor with a Paradox Islay 008. YUMMY!!!!

Draught at Bishops Arms Järntorget, Göteborg. On October 22, 2009
During Porterveckan
Hazy dark red color, light brown head. Vinous, cheese, chocolate scent, also grainy. Smooth, chocolate, dry malty taste. Roasted, coffee, salty aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel, medium dry bitterness.