Tasting Notes: Brewdog: Paradox Speyside

Brewdog: Paradox Speyside (Batch 17) (Scotland: Imperial Stout: 10% ABV)

Visual: Like most paradox beers this is dark black, a brown fizz rather than a head and a still placid nature to the beer.

Nose: Light salt – brine? Aniseed and anchovies. Slight medicinal character.

Body: Initial salty and an oily fish feel. Warms into roasted malts and nuts. Light vanilla and a touch of cream. Fruit crème centre which is hidden mostly by the strong main character. Figs.

Finish: Full bore black coffee. Again an oily texture and some salt, open port breeze.

Conclusion: Not the best of the paradox range – I am not saying that it is a bad beer, far from it, but the oily character does not allow the beer to breath or open up well. Instead it seems to end up hitting mostly the same notes all along the way.

Oddly for a speyside influenced beer the main notes are an odd oil and salt character.

Still a good drink, but if you can get any other Paradox beer id recommend trying them first.