A deep, clear ruby pour with minimal head retention, smells of smoked malts, chocolate, and caramel. The taste is semi-sweet with notes of chocolate, caramel, and raisin with a subtle smokiness underneath; body is medium. The finish is moderate in length with low bitterness, featuring notes of herbal and spicy hops along with some residual smoke. Overall, doesn’t quite have that peat smoked flavor I would expect of a “Scottish” ale, but it’s very drinkable and has an unexpected complexity.
