This was a Christmas gift from my wife's Uncle Walter and Aunt Zita. They travel to Canada quite a bit and picked this up in Vancouver. Innis & Gunn Scottish Oak Aged Ale is a limited release beer produced in Scotland in celebration of Canada Day, a holiday with a ridiculous sounding name. It's a partial rye mash beer that is aged in Canadian whiskey barrels.
The small (12oz-ish) bottle came in it's own little red box (which is probably for the best since they use clear glass). It's a dark red beer with a little bit of fluffy white head. On the nose, smoke and caramel lead and give way to hints of vanilla and a bit of dried stone fruits.
The body to me was fairly light, especially compared to other oak aged beer I've had. These beers tend to be stouts, and big barley wines.
It's a malty beer though, with the palate offering brown sugar maltyness and a definite oakyness. There are hints of the rye as well, sharper notes that could be mistaken for the malt bitterness that is also present. That malt bitterness finishes the palate, lingering after each sip.
This is an interesting little beer, with a lot going on and some true character. 7 out of 10.
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