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Orkney Dark Island Reserve

Orkney Dark Island Reserve

Rated 3.600 by BeerPals
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Brewed by Orkney Brewery

Orkney Islands, United Kingdom

Style:  Strong Ale

10% Alcohol by Volume

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Dark Island Reserve - An Extraordinary Ale. The idea behind the Dark Island Reserve was to create a super-premium, unique and special beer that set new standards in Britain in quality of product and packaging. Since it’s won the packaging industry award for presentation, I think we can say we are achieving our aims. Using our iconic Dark Island Ale, which is then matured in aged Orkney malt whisky casks for three months, gives this bottled ale a new dimension. The markets for Dark Island Reserve are quite exclusive and shall remain so as our production is deliberately limited. Retailers, deli’s and off licenses which specialise in their field will stock this exciting new product. The bottle size of 75cl and its’ 10% alcohol by volume means this ale is designed to be savoured. Each bottle is hand bottled and labeled with the individual Gyle number. Classic Dark Island flavours of smooth roast malt, dark chocolate, caramel, figs and dates combine with vanilla, spice and bitter orange flavours from the wood and whisky. The front label depicts an etching of the famous Orkney Standing Stones and includes the short description – DARK ISLAND RESERVE The Extraordinary Orcadian Ale. Dark Island Reserve is a rich strong Orcadian ale. After a gentle fermentation at our brewery in Quoyloo, the beer is finished in old oak casks formerly used to mature fine malt whisky. This unhurried process creates a timeless classic full of fruit, spice, oak and roast malt flavours. Each label is finished, as with the entire Orkney range, with the signature of Andrew Fulton our Head Brewer. If you are looking for an ale to savour or the perfect gift for a real ale fan then this is the very thing.

ID: 28269 Last updated 15 years ago Added to database 16 years ago

Key Stats

96
percentile

0

Drunk

4

Reviews

0

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Statistics

Overall Rank1943
Overall Percentile96.4
Style Rank79 of 799
Style Percentile90.1
Lowest Score3.7
Highest Score4.8
Average Score4.050
Weighted Score3.600
Standard Deviation0.000

Rating Distribution

Beer vs Style

4 Member Reviews

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  • KINGER 2328 reviews
    rated 3.7 10 years ago

    Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

    Didn't have a huge pour of this, but the sampling size was plenty. Potent roasted brew from across the pond. Dark fruits, plums, chocolate, raisin, and nutty toffee. A touch spicy and woody. Almost vinous in nature, but malty enough to satisfy. Rich and creamy, medium to full bodied. Nice concoction.

  • OH6GDX 8392 reviews
    rated 3.9 14 years ago

    Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

    Bottled. Black colour, small brown head. Aroma is madeirawine, some grapes, alcohol and quite sourish. Flavour is smoked oak, alcohol, raisins, some sourness as well. Oily palate. Feels a bit infected, yet in a quite nice way.

  • EAGLEFAN538 2299 reviews
    rated 3.8 16 years ago

    Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

    First bottle (swing top) off the receiving dock at SL, shared with Slob and others. Pour was brown to black, nice initial head, tannish in color. The aroma was sake-like, grainy, tapioca vanilla pudding, molasses, caramel, other darker (patent?) malt elements (licorice too). The flavor was similar, chocolate and berry notes emerging, slight acidic finish. Body was full and enjoyable, smooth, not really hot for the abv for sure. Another fun one for the evening, although that sake/grainy/ricey/vanilla type of medicinal aroma did hold this back a bit, a little strong and even cloying by the end of the experience.

  • SIGMUND 6606 reviews
    rated 4.8 16 years ago

    Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 10 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

    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!

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