BrewDog Paradox Macallan (Batch 011)

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

11.2oz bottle, courtesy of argo0. Thanks, Aaron! Done with comparison to three other Paradox Impys. Pours black, ruby edges, tan head. Medicinal aroma, strong alcohol, coffee. Flavor is mostly scotch, chocolate in end. Very smooth.

(Bottle, Batch 011, BB 12/12/09) Pours a dark brown body with a small off-white head. Aroma of toasted bread, nuts, scotch, barrel, vanilla, and oatmeal. Flavor of roasted malt, scotch, barrel, and light chocolate with a dry finish.

Dark brown color. Aroma has a lot of depth combining the peaty whiskey character and the sherry character of the barrel with a touch of the base beer. Flavor is nicely balanced and integrated. Silky mouth feel with palate caressing flavors. Not overly smoky, just a touch. The added sherry notes are a welcome addition. Other notes of vanilla, caramel, with a pleasant sweetness and a pretty nice finish. This is my favorite Paradox so far.

black with no head. smoky, dark chocolate aroma. sweeter than the islay (010) i tried earlier this evening. more of a vanilla character shows here, instead of the ashy meaty flavors in the islay, making this similar to the speyside. possibly a light vinous note. slight hints alcohol, but i think this one gets it right! although, i’m saving the glen for tomorrow.

Bottled. This stuff is pretty nice. Some of these Paradox beers go way too deep with the scotch, but this one balances quite well, even picking up some of the sherry characteristics as well. Great cherry, oak, licorice, burnt marshmallows in the aroma. Very deep and enticing and never once showing any alcohol burn. In the mouth this has a full, gooey flavor, again burnt marshmallows, cinnamon, faint oxidation, wood. Almost a touch of hop bitterness in the finish. Excellent stuff here. As much as I hate to admit it, the Paradox series continues to impress.

Pours a slight watery black with a thin white head. Big roasted grain, chocolate malt, coffee, vanilla aroma. Taste is very complex, lots of coffee roasted grain and chocolate malt. Also has great barrel and vanilla notes nicely blended in to give a great smoothness. Great smooth mouthfeel with hints of scotch. Very subtle and tasty.

DAmn, very well, done. The sherry barrel adds this extra layer or two that really make its shine. Coco, touch of smoke.

Bottle from Binnys. Pours hard black with slight brown edge and quickly fading beige head. Nose is relatively faint with some dark malts and chocolate underneath delightful scotch barrel. Taste is a smooth, creamy, barrel flavor dream come true. Again lots of dark malt, roastiness and chocolate, but the main event in this one is the wonderful scotch characteristic. Some vanilla and oak poke through as well with a slight smoke/peat hint also. This imperial stout recipe would be good on it’s own, but aged in my favorite single malt barrel....bliss. So glad I picked up a second bottle.