Orkney Dark Island Reserve

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

ISpicy and peaty aroma. Black color, light brown head, Vinous, roasty and oaky flavour - a wonderful beer! Now for sale in Denmark by www.skotsk-import.dk

Absolutely unbelievable. 750 ml bottle, bottled on 3rd September 2008. Jet black, no head. Aroma of burgundy wine, taste of a single malt whisky. D bitter and malty finish. Heaven.

Rerate, 750 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 10%. Brewed 23rd Sept. 2008, bottled 10th Dec. 2008. Pitch black colour, moderate brown head. The aroma is still vinous (sherry), oaky and roasty - also notes of chocolate, vanilla, figs and dates, hints of Christmas spices. Full and rich mouthfeel. The flavour has loads of malty sweetness, a moderate roastiness, oaky and vinous notes (sherry and/or port), some chocolate and a hint of liquorice. Moderate hops in the finish. Terrific beer! Original rating: Bottle, at RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. ABV was 10%. Pitch black colour, brown head. Lovely vinous, oaky and roasty aroma, some sandalwood too. Perfect! Vinous, roasty and oaky flavour - a wonderful beer!

Bottled November 10, 2007. Black color with a thin head. Big peaty aroma. Lots of whisky and sherry. Chocolate. The taste is somehow not dominated by peat, but it is screaming peat. Oak and vanilla, sweet malt and honey. Very little hop bitterness, but it is there. I don’t think this is really a barley wine, but it is delicious.

Big thanks to Badgerben for sharing this rare and expensive beer. The aroma is nice, peat, smoke, and malt with very light spice. A black beer and no carbonation. Exceptionally complex flavor. Peat, seasalt, smoke, malt, and oak that imparts a wood, and vanilla flavor. The high abv is well hidden and not noticeable in the aroma or flavor.

750, swingtop. Black. Thick (though shallow) creamy tan head. Huge coffee, roasty nose--along with port, and red wine grapes. Rich creamy, oily body. Tawny port, raisins, figs, bourbon, roast, and coffee on the mid-palate. Long cocoa finish. Indescribably delicious, much more than the sum of its flavor parts. So much happening with the brewing...there must be a dozen specialty malts in here.

22Oz bottle from Hopscotch at the Solan’s Mom Throwdown. 100th rate. Poured a dark inky black with a small tan head. Nose was absolutely sick. Peat Smoke, Fruit, Chocolate, Caramel and Dalmore 12. For the 10% ABV the alcohol doesn’t really come into play until at the end. Its just warming, no burn. Starts off very heavy on caramel and oak. Then that distinctive Dalmore flavor comes through in the finish with a touch of molasses and smoke and some lightly bitter chocolate. Truly a remarkable beer. This is absolutely a after dinner beer.

Bottle of mine, RBESG Grand Tasting 07. Black, thin tan head. Mose is roasted maltiness, chocolate malt, complex dark fruit and coffee play. Mouth is complex warmth, fruity, whisky and vanilla, touch of saltiness. Splendid, hints of oakiness, superb finish. Best Scottish beer to date.