I'm sitting here drinking a Lagavulin 16 and thinking that the richness of this would go great into a beer. I can only think of two off the top of my head... JW Lee's and Baladin Xyauyu. Are there any others?
The most recent Stone Quingenti beers were partially aged in Islay Whiskey barrels. It was the Highway 78 Scotch Ale. The batch 2 more so, apparently it imparts a peat smokiness to the beer. Curious to crack it open.
searching for "islay" and also the individual distilleries will bring up lots of results too http://beeradvocate.com/search?q=islay&qt=beer http://beeradvocate.com/search?q=bowmore&qt=beer http://beeradvocate.com/search?q=laphroaig&qt=beer http://beeradvocate.com/search?q=caol&qt=beerhttp://beeradvocate.com/search?q=ardbeg&qt=beer
Also I'm pretty sure the Schlafly Anny this year was aged in Islay barrels. I didn't read it anywhere but it did have a super phenolic smoke to it. It was awesome.
another one i've really enjoyed was peated embrasse, on draft. the bottled version is crazy expensive tho.
JW lees is Lagavulin, Port, sherry and calvados all awesome barleywines! they also said they wouldn't mind using bourbon in the future!
This one, game, set, and match........ http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/15237/56774 It's retired but still pops up on Etre from time to time.
Paradox Islay by Brewdog, though they may not make it anymore. Someone also might have linked it already, I'm too lazy to click around. So in sum, the beer I'm suggesting may not exist anymore. Take it or leave it.
It's still totally findable, even on the shelves. Local place had about 6 left at about $10/ea had one a few weeks ago, it was good.
La Trappe's Oak-aged Quadrupel (Batch 8) has a good bit of Islay smoke to it, though the bottle (and their website) do not specify the type of barrels used. In fact, they say "whiskey" instead of "whisky," but I'd bet some of the barrels once held Islay scotch of some kind. It's an absolutely phenomenal beer, if a bit pricey.
I had this one recently from my cellar. There was a lot of Islay characteristic to it. A very interesting beer. http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/7730/57626
That's good. I had one a few months ago that was just god awful, not sure if there was a problem with the bottle or if it was just my taste.
Probably a little of both. I mean, it's a 2008 bottle so if it was improperly stored for any of that its going to really show it. Also, the Islay whiskey definitely has a unique and acquired taste.
