Orkney Dark Island Reserve

Brewed by Orkney (Sinclair Breweries)
Style: Barley Wine
Stromness, Orkney, Highlands & Islands, Scotland

Pours dark almost black with a brownish head.Aroma of caramel, molasses,dark chocolate and grains with some alcohol.Flavor is sweet with whiskey smoke ,roasted grains ,caramel ,oak ,vanilla.A full bodied and totally awesome beer.

750ml Bottle. Rating #100! Pours thick, dark brown, almost completely black with a large brown head that shortly turns into a ring around the top. Nose contains plenty of dark chocolate and coffee as well as concentrated yeast, malt, raisins, honey and, like it says on the label, figs and dates. The whisky is present both on the nose and in the mouth, and is integrated quite well. The flavour combines most of the elements from the aroma as well as hints of dark berries, vanilla, port and a little saltiness (from the whisky barrels perhaps?). This a lot darker than any other barley wine I’ve had, looking more like a porter, and the differences don’t end there, but either way this is a fantastic beer and I’m definitely not disappointed in my choice for my 100th rating.

Quite possibly the only Scottish beer that gets anywhere near a Belgian Abbey beer. Drinking the limited edition. Pours black. Almost no head. Sour taste with lots of chocolate, smoked ham, licorice. High alcohol level well masquared.

I sampled a bottle brewed 3 September 2008. The beer had a coffee type flavor with a hint of roasted chestnuts. I expected more head on the beer but otherwise it was delicous. Poured cleanly and evenly. Aroma was fantastic. A really good beer.

Super rich dark toffee aroma with roasted nuts, vanilla and a hint of smoke. Absolutely spectacular. The flavor is rather sweet with more roasted nuts and hints of scotch. This is delicious with a lingering, complex finish.

Pours an inky black-brown that is a bit dark for a barleywine. Interesting aroma that starts off with sweet vanilla and chocolate then becomes more earthy and malty. Flavor is earthy and smoky with bitter chocolate, oak, and a slight whiskey character that is subdued and delightful. There is also a significant alcohol presence on the finish. Very interesting and well constructed, but rather expensive...

When I die, I want to be buried in an old, well-used oak barrel, bourbon or single-malt preferably. I wouldn’t recommend digging me up after a few decades, rot and all, but at least then my body can properly mature in the same vein as some of the most supple, heavenly inspired spirituous drinks in the world; especially beer and whisky. Mm… pardon me while I wipe the drool from my mouth.

Deep clear orange with amber highlights streaking across her depths, a simple head fades nonchalantly into oblivion, leaving nary a bubble or trail of lace to call her own. That’s ok, because they would just get in the way of her voluminous nose. Sun-soaked white raisins dripping rum juice, plump, moist, and ripe for the taking are met with maple drizzles and cinnamon sticks. Lightly toasted brown sugars crunch atop rich, sticky dark fruits. All of this leads to a smooth finish of butterscotch, sweet whisky notes, and vanilla tinged oak tannins. Pinch me, I must be dreaming. As we meet in a lusty frenzy, I am surprised by how lean and clean-cut her body and mouthfeel is. Fresh oak sits comfortably next to brushed leather while moist pitted dark fruits loom closer on the horizon. Her sweet side is all caramel and maple syrup of the finest quality; no adjuncts or additives here. Nutmeg and cinnamon whisper atop my tongue and mingle in my lingering breath. Each sup and breath is clean, warm, and tinged with butterscotch and whisky. Usually ales aged in whisky barrels are heavy, rich, and more of a sipping brew then a quaffing brew. The Orkney Dark Island Reserve Orcadian Ale Aged in Whisky Casks is clean, balanced, and very sessionable in spite of, or maybe because of her wondrously whisky influenced palate.

Well played. If you happen to come across a bottle, make sure to bring one home. Usually I would say to age it, but I think she is best enjoyed fresher than older. Of course, you could always find out for yourself, but I thought she was spot-on just the way she was.

Bottled 2007, purchased early 08 at Hi Time Wine, consumed - after many failed tasting attempts - in June 09. Nose is great - of earth, oak, whiskey, vanilla (lightly, dank fruit. Color is pitch black with a thicker bright brown head. Flavor is big with chocolate, malt, much roastiness, mellow coffee and light earth. Really reminded me of BCS, shockingly. Very relaxing beer for cold weather. All warm, no burn.