Vocation Brewery is launching two special release barrel-aged beers in collaboration with Scotland-based rare whisky specialist Lady of the Glen.
The collaboration combines their shared expertise by ageing beers in rare, specialist whisky casks.
Vocation’s Barrel Aged Imperial Stout is a classic expression of the style, first aged in former Bourbon barrels before transferring to Laphroaig casks for 11 months. Notes of cacao and cinder toffee from seven malt varieties are used to create this dark, rich, roasted stout, accentuated by Laphraoig’s signature herbaceous harmony of smoke, citrus and seagrass.
Vocation’s Smoked Imperial Barrel Aged Stout features a robust and complex mash of eight malts, including a generous percentage of rye and smoked malt for a spicy, peppery bite, balanced out with notes of sweet, smoky molasses, rich dried fruits and dark chocolate.
The beer is aged in Aberlour and Caol Ila casks, selected to highlight the stout’s inherent flavour profile of sweet baking spices, Lapsang Souchong, and earthy, smoky peat — adding roundness and complexity throughout — before being carefully blended and bottled. These whisky barrels were chosen in order to accentuate the properties already present in the stout, such as sweet spice, smoked tea and peat.
The two beers will be available via Vocation’s online shop from Wednesday, 13th July, in 300ml bottles, at £6.75.
Intense flavours
Gary Farlow, innovation brewer at Vocation Brewery, said: “We are delighted to be launching both our Barrel Aged Imperial Stout and our Barrel Aged Smoked Imperial Stout, in collaboration with Lady of the Glen.
“Our Imperial Stout, aged in Laphroaig casks, is dominated by the whisky character from the barrels, with intense, warming peat notes up front, followed by the oak of the barrels, before giving way to the rich roasted espresso and dark chocolate flavours of the stout.
“In our second barrel aged release, the Caol Ila is arguably more prominent than the Aberlour in the other stout, with the smokiness of both the whisky and the smoked malt in the stout blending together well. The peppery rye in the stout is very subtle, and contrasts well against the honey and sweet spices of the Aberlour cask. This array of complex flavours blend together and complement each other perfectly.”
Gregor Hannah, director of Lady of the Glen, said: “Lady of the Glen is an independent bottler bringing international whisky enthusiasts an exclusive taste of Scotland’s traditional spirit. We source, and look after, rare single malt whiskies from distilleries across Scotland, turning them into something special through traditional bottling techniques.
“We’re really pleased to be working with Vocation to launch these barrel-aged stouts and to be able to make use of these wonderful casks with their complex flavour profiles. We have long been admirers of Vocation’s consistent and genuine innovation, and the fact that they feel it their duty to produce the best example of each particular beer style, consistently.”
