Innis & Gunn has launched the 2023 iteration of its Islay Whisky Cask Beer, made in collaboration with distiller Laphroaig.
First released in 2021, this is Innis & Gunn’s fastest ever selling limited edition. The 2022 release had the highest rate of sale of any craft 330ml bottle beer in Scotland.
The 7.4% ABV Scottish red ale is brewed by Innis & Gunn before, every year, being matured in a different way, always in Laphroaig casks. This produces a limited edition that continues to evolve while offering familiarity, yet with subtly different nuances.
In 2021, it was matured solely in Laphroaig ten-year-old casks; and in 2022 it was rare Laphroaig ‘quarter casks’, which, being smaller, allowed a greater interaction between cask and beer.
For 2023, the larger Laphroaig ten-year-old (second fill bourbon) casks have been used for the initial ten weeks’ maturation, followed by three weeks in second fill port casks, as used for finishing Laphroaig. This means drinkers will experience a double hit of Laphroaig’s eccentricities of flavour.
Chestnut in colour, there is an attractive head on pouring, says the brewer. Initially heady and intense, the aroma has a smack of peat smoke, which then softens to reveal notes of chocolate and spiciness, with hints of heather and coffee.
The taste is a contrasting marriage with the aroma. The beer has an oak and malt sweetness, while being full-bodied with hints of dried red fruits, toasted malt, caramel, and Scottish tablet. Lingering with a slight dryness, it has a long finish with a soft aftertaste delivering subtle smokiness.
“This is my favourite expression of our collaboration with Laphraoig yet,” said Innis & Gunn founder, Dougal Gunn Sharp. “The double maturation and use of ex-port casks has brought further depth to the beer and introduced sweet, fruity notes, which are in delicious balance with the briny-smoky hallmark Laphroaig taste.
“Both our brewing team and the distillery team at Laphroaig really understand how to balance flavour and have pushed themselves this year to make something really special. This uncompromising beer unites brewing and distilling craftsmanship at its best.”
Barry McAffer, distillery manager at Laphroaig, said: “Our collaboration with Innis & Gunn is as natural as it is exciting. At Laphroaig, we’ve spent over two centuries perfecting our unique and bold flavours. It requires an uncompromising and original brand to match it — enter Innis & Gunn!
“I’ve always been a fan of Innis & Gunn, and this latest release does not disappoint. You’ll taste a whisper of peat along with a distinctive toasted malt note that comes from the Laphroaig cold smoking kilns, along with rich fruits and a long-lasting sweetness from the double matured port casks.
“The unmistakable refreshing citrus and orange rind flavours from the beer are followed by a warming finish, with hints of oak and that classic understated bitterness that Innis & Gunn create so well. It’s a superb combination of cask, whisky, and beer, all perfectly balanced in flavour.”
