It’s been an age since I drank this beer and I honestly thought the brewery had closed after seeing it up for sale. A nice surprise to see their beers still around… Smokey with a coffee-like bitterness and fruity finish. Bacon. Full bodied and Esther rich, velvety smooth. Less carbonated than less time, and for the better!

A very strong citrus note, almost a session IPA

Bottle 198/240. Many elements of the base beer come through in this Laphroig barrel-aged version, showing similarities with my review from a year or so ago. Highly carbonated and volatile on opening. Thin mouthfeel that doesn’t compliment the flavour profile. The aroma is of earthy peaty single malt. Smoke flavours and some light creaminess comes through however they’re overshadowed by the huge hit of Laphroig that punches you in the face from the very first sip. If you’re a single malt fan you would absolutely love this. It took a while to grow on me as it’s so peaty and strong in flavour, but I got there in the end...

Not as smokey as other rauchbiers, but highly carbonated. Still heavy on the malt both in smoked and roast formats. Nice hoppiness in the finish. Probably the most liveliest beer I’ve had to be fair. Exploded on opening, poured like Niagra Falls, with the head disappearing quickly and with volatility. 20 minutes in and I can still hear it bubbling away over on the table.