Innis and Gunn Oak Aged Beer (Scotland)

www.innisandgunn.com
Innis and Gunn Oak Aged Beer
6.6% ABV

Born from an idea from William Grant in 2002, a whiskey producer from Scotland.  William had the idea to infuse the flavour of beer into whiskey.  He approached Dougal Sharpe who was brewing a strong ale to see if they could work together.  The plan was to keep the beer in the oak barrels for 30 days before discarding and then filling the oak with whiskey.  These days the beer then continues for 47 days in a marrying tun to continue the brew.  The beer that was brewed then was drank by the distillery workers and it had taken on a smokey flavour.  This kick started the idea to release it commercially.  The Innis and Gunn brewery was born.  As well as this beer the brewery has experimented with various aged beers including a triple matured beer aged 147 days before being bottled. 

Review

A slight vanilla fragrance is present with woody and toffee characteristics.  The beer is a clear golden effervescent liquid with a very white head.  On tasting you can really get the oaky, slightly smokey flavour coming through.  Sweetness comes through once the beer gets on the tongue and there is a level of alcohol present that is quite high that can certainly be tasted.
On the palate the beer has a light body with light carbonation.
Overall, there is a quite a lot to like about this beer, I would prefer to not get as much alcohol flavour and a little more hop and malt flavours but with quite a light palate so it is easy to knock a few back which at 6.6% ABV could be a good thing or a bad thing?!!!

Scores: -

Aroma 5.5/10
Appearance 4/5
Taste 4/5
Palate 3/5
Overall 14/20

Total 63%