15th Anniversary - Highland Scotch Whisky Barrel Aged - Stone Brewing Co.

trancesk8er

California

5/5  rDev +18.8%

09-03-2012 21:14:20 | More by trancesk8er

Zbeetleman

California

4/5  rDev -5%

05-15-2013 03:04:54 | More by Zbeetleman

CelticAleMan

California

3/5  rDev -28.7%

04-15-2013 22:03:55 | More by CelticAleMan

vissai

California

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

04-09-2013 17:27:10 | More by vissai

t0rin0

California

3.5/5  rDev -16.9%

04-09-2013 16:34:50 | More by t0rin0

bca115

California

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

03-28-2013 00:53:46 | More by bca115

largadeer

California

4.25/5  rDev +1%

03-26-2013 22:08:08 | More by largadeer

jvillefan

California

4.75/5  rDev +12.8%

01-29-2013 04:45:03 | More by jvillefan

chrisxmartin

4.25/5  rDev +1%

11-05-2012 11:41:15 | More by chrisxmartin

Mister_Joshy

California

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

11-05-2012 02:46:06 | More by Mister_Joshy

funkel81

California

3.5/5  rDev -16.9%

11-03-2012 17:08:05 | More by funkel81

InstinctDecay

California

4.7/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance – Pours thickly black onto the glass, with a dark brown head which quickly dissipates.

Smell – Aroma is fantastic. Roasted malts with a slight hint of chocolate, alongside the whisky notes.

Taste – Immediate roasted, cocoa like taste, but with moderate hop-profile which . The hop-bitterness compliments the smoothness of the caramel malts. Like the original 15th, but is followed and enhanced by the subtle, but smokier notes of the whisky aged barrel. Alcohol warmth is evident, but it works well with the combination of complex and rich flavors.

Mouthfeel – Very soft, for such a thick and flavorful ale. Almost silky-smooth, with a appreciable amount of carbonation. Very warming and inviting.

Overall – An incredibly smooth and complex union between your already superb 15th Anniversary Black Ale, with the light but exquisite additions that a fine highland scotch can provide. Would very much like to have again.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 23:09:39 | More by InstinctDecay

Tom-Peters

California

4.25/5  rDev +1%

09-13-2012 20:21:05 | More by Tom-Peters

ezperkins2

California

4/5  rDev -5%

09-06-2012 07:09:20 | More by ezperkins2

drewone

California

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

08-31-2012 15:04:59 | More by drewone

HopHead84

California

4.18/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

8/19/2012

QM series bottle into a snifter. Aged for 40 weeks in Highland Scotch Whisky Barrels.

A: Black as a moonless, starless Escondidian night with an inch of frothy light brown foam. The beer rises up the glass with a few swirls and leaves behind an alcohol collar.

S: Cocoa, oak, roasted grains, and earth with pervasive whisky notes. There's a little peat and wood smoke. I get some leather and tobacco as well. Hop aroma is restrained but I do perceive fading memories of pine and unspoken suggestions of citrus.

T: This essentially tastes like a hoppy stout. Whisky notes marry chocolate, molasses, and caramel. There's some booze heat but it's pleasant rather than detracting. Earthy with cocoa, wood, and a smooth lower moderate bitterness. The roasted malt profile is very smooth and pleasant without acridity or harsh burnt notes.

M: Full in body with a moderate level of carbonation. The mouthfeel is sticky, silky, creamy, and chewy. The beer is warming on the palate.

Overall: I'm pleased with this and glad I picked it up. Ultimately, I think Bourbon would have been a better choice of barrels, but the whisky goes quite well with the Escondidian Imperial Black IPA.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 03:45:18 | More by HopHead84