Saturday, May 25, 2013

Review: Orkney Skull Splitter

Orkney Skull Splitter
8.5% ABV
The Orkney Brewery, Quayloo, Orkney, Scotland
11.2 oz btl
Served in Dogfish Head Signature Glass
Date on bottle: Best by end of May 2015
Reviewed on 4/20/13

This scotch ale pours a hazy light brown color with a good off-white head that quickly dissipates.  Decent lacing.

Smell consists of strong malt, hops, dark fruit, slight caramel, some floral, alcohol.  The smell is strong and hits you at an arm's length when pouring.

Taste has malt, hops, spiciness, floral and herbal notes, dark fruit, some caramel, hint of chocolate, hint of banana, cherry.

Mouthfeel is fairly smooth and creamy/velvety on the palate even as it has a good earthy character to it.

Overall, this is a complex tasting scotch ale that has some surprising fruitiness and a good balance of flavors.  The smell of this beer is quite strong when pouring--I could smell it at arm's length, whereas I can't usually smell a beer until I bring it to my nose.  Its earthy and floral characteristics mixed with malt and spice make it somewhat reminiscent of a Trappist ale, though it's not quite there.  Still, it's quite good.

My score: 92

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