94 Old Chub Scottish Style Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 8% ABV (3/10)
Deep ruby mahogany color. Dense aromas of dark roasted whole nuts, baking bread and dark chocolate-covered cherries follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with good depth and a fig, date, citrus and earth-accented fade. Nice balance and drinkability.
94 Traquair House Ale, Traquair House Brewery (Scotland). 7.2% ABV (3/10)
Deep copper mahogany color. Mild aromas of chocolate, bread and dried tropical fruits have a delicate spice edge and follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with great depth, smoothness and balance of flavors. Finishes with a long, relaxed fade of citrus, apple, nuts and mossy earth. A sensationally elegant version of Scottish ale.
93 Red MacGregor Ale, Orkney Brewery (Scotland). 4% ABV (3/10)
Deep copper color. Interesting aromas dried tropical fruit, buttered dark toast, caramelized grains, baking soda and faint mossy earth follow through on supple entry to a dryish medium body with layers on unsweetened chocolate on roasted nuts, baked pears and tangy dried citrus on the crisp, chewy finish. Rich, tangy and very drinkable.
93 Samuel Adams Scotch Ale, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.4% ABV (3/10)
Rich copper color. Dense aromas of dark caramelized nuts, yeasty bread dough, delicate smoked meat and peat follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with very good depth and integration of flavors. Finishes with a long, chewy roasted grain and delicate honeyed citrus fade. A rich, layered and commanding Scottish ale.
92 Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 8% ABV (3/09)
Deep amber color with a taupe head. Aromas of cocoa, dark raisin toast and roasted nuts have an earthy edge and follow through on a crisp round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with toffee, green apple and peppery spice notes. Finishes with a zesty, black licorice and earthy hop fade. A rich and stylish Scottish ale that flavors the cocoa over peat.
92 Curly Scottish Ale, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 6% ABV (3/10) %{Brewpub}
Slightly hazy copper color. Rich turned garden earth, cocoa and dark roasted nut aromas follow through on a supple, satiny entry to a dry-yet fruity medium-to-full body with very good depth and tangy dried citrus, roasted corn and stone fruit notes. Finishes with a long, chocolate, coffee and pine needle and dried ginger hop fade. Very tasty.
89 Ebenezer Ale, BridgePort Brewing Co. (OR). 6.1% ABV (3/08)
Dark copper brown color. Brown sugar sprinkled raisin and woody roasted nut aromas with an interesting accent of dried seaweed. A rich, frothy entry leads to a dryish medium-to-full body of toffee, cocoa-dusted clementines and honeyed oolong-like flavors. Finishes with a sweet praline and lightly smoky sashimi like fade. Very interesting and subtle smoky, botanical notes and a rock-solid malt foundation.
89 Oak Aged Beer Original, Innis & Gunn Brewing Co. (Scotland). 6.6% ABV (3/10)
Deep golden color. Interesting aromas of cannabis, mint, fresh baguette and clay have a compelling musky skunky note and follow through on a round, silky entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-full body with fruity caramel and vanilla custard notes. Finishes with a spicy apple sauce, praline, creamy lemon curd and mossy earth-accented finish. Unique and fun.
87 Strang Wullie Scotch Ale, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 8.9% ABV (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Deep mahogany color with a manila gray head. Aromas of roasted nuts, dried meat, burnt sugar and toast follow through on a thick, chewy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with melted toffee and dark fruit cake notes. Finishes with a smooth, nutty, mocha-accented fade.
85 Dark Island Ale, Orkney Brewery (Scotland). 4.6% ABV (3/10)
Dark brown color. Aromas of cocoa-dusted roasted nut, coffee, grass and faint herbs follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with good session weight and depth. Finishes with a tangy, slightly sour charred nut, dried meat and earth fade.
82 Caber Tossing Scottish Ale, Fox River Brewing (WI). 6% ABV (3/08)
Dark copper brown color. Tangy aromas of sour apples, potting soil and chocolate-covered nuts. A round, frothy entry leads to a tangy medium-full body of cocoa, sour apple skin, dried citrus and delicate tarragon flavors. Finishes with a crisp, earthy nut and citrus fade. Pleasant.