BrewDog Paradox Macallan (Batch 011)

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

Pours a deep, opaque sable with a fairly thick and somewhat persistent tan head. Aroma is strong and smoky with undertones of coffee and unsweetened chocolate as well as a firm overtone of whiskey. Flavor is smoky and a little malty with a firm whiskey bite as well as hints of unsweet chocolate, coffee and toffee - downright lip-smacking. Texture is thick and oily-smooth, leaving a good tingle as it goes down.

330 ml, bb 12/12/09. Hard pour yields a small head that tries to cling to the rim of the glass. Aroma is vanilla, caramel, raisin, oak, light cherry and char. Well-blended flavors of caramel, chocolate raisin, vanilla, coffee, whiskey, sweet cherry and oak. Finish has some light char, salt and soy that provide a nice drying balance. The small head manages to leave some beautiful lacing all over the glass. Medium-heavy body is smooth and lightly sticky. Best of the five in the paradox series I’ve sampled to date.

pours a deep black with a little off-white head. aroma is strong, of roasted malts, bitter coffee and vanilla. flavor is of rich dark chocolate, oaked cherried and a kick of spice. leaves a strong alcohol feeling in the throat. over all, quite a beer.

Pours dark brown, black in the glass, with a medium tan head, some lacing. Smells strongly of scotch, oak and alcohol, with some peat, coffee, and pear undertones. Medium-thick velvety body. In the taste, imperial stout characteristics come through more strongly, complimented by scotch notes. There’s big malt flavors up front; molasses, dark chocolate, plum, and coffee, with some oak. Has a slightly dry, mineral edge, and a medium bitter finish. Nicely balanced. A wonderful imperial stout.

This was from a 330 mi bottle that set me back a whopping $11.49 at Market of Choice in Ashland, OR. Was it worth it? You better believe it! Poured a dark brown, kind of the color of Coca Cola, with almost no head. Swirling it in the glass raised a little foam and left mild lacing on the side of my Duvel glass. But it also raised a terrific nose of smoky malts with ripe fruit and some hints of chocolate, and sherry. Almost made my eyes water. Mouthfeel is rich and kind of like a single malt whiskey. Flavor is complex, and shows oak, some sweetness, and again seems more like single malt whiskey than beer. Finish is slightly sweet. Overall a simple outstanding brew. This my 1000th rating, and I am very pleased to have it be one of this quality I will upload a photo as soon as I am able..

Bottle from PC Market of Choice in Eugene, OR. Color is dark brown/black with garnet notes. The head is large beige/tan bubbles. Aromas of dark toasted malt and vanilla? Medium body (treacly feel) going to fuller body, and the carbonation is essentially non-existent. Flavor is sprightly, smokey, oaky. Backed by burnt malt. Quite smooth, finishing slightly gritty, slightly sweet. Tantalizes the senses. Caresses the mouth. The sherry aspect didn’t hit until I was halfway through. It’s expensive, but it’s very tasty. The burps are exquisite.

Pours a transparent dark mahogany with a thin, stringy-lacing light tan head. Aroma of sweet dark caramel and chocolate with nice peaty smoke and roasted malty character. Body starts with good fullness and sweet dark caramel and sherry notes along with a complex balance of smoky peat and roasted malt. Finishes smooth and semi-sweet. Well aged and enjoyable.

Bottle bought @ De Molen. Deep dark brown color. Almost opague. Salt, dark chocolate and notes of whisky in the aroma. Malty sweet flavor with dark chocolate, raisin, oak, whisky and dried fruit. Well balanced, the whisky lingers on in the background in a most pleasant way.