Well, well, don’t we get all kinds of interesting stuff at Taco Mac! Here’s a brandy new beer from Innis & Gunn of Edinburgh, Scotland: Kith and Kin Scottish Stout aged in Teeling Irish Whiskey Barrels. Innis & Gunn is a relative newcomer on the UK beer scene, having been founded in 2003. I’m not sure why but I thought they were older than that. Ah well.

Kith and Kin is a recent addition to the brewery’s lineup, although they did previously offer a Scottish Stout Matured with Irish Whiskey Oak Chips. Kith and Kin is actually aged in Irish Whiskey barrels instead of on chips. I have yet to see it in the bottle, though it is indeed sold that way.

From the website:

Kith & Kin is Scots for ‘friends & family’, which perfectly captures the spirit of this collaboration between two pioneers of our craft. Kith & Kin is a rich Scottish stout aged in Teeling Irish Whiskey barrels. Brewed with a big hit of chocolate malt, to create a flavour packed beer with dark chocolate, coffee and treacle, alongside delicious hints of vanilla and spice. A little barrel-magic means that the aftertaste is smooth, seductive and long.

Innis & Gunn Kith and Kin Scottish Stout aged in Teeling Irish Whiskey Barrels has an alcohol content of 5.8% by volume and I paid $6.25 for a 20-ounce mug at Taco Mac. Not bad at all given Innis & Gunn beers run $9.99 to $10.99 a 4-pack of 11.2 ounce bottles and $7.99 or more for half liters and bombers.

My mug of Innis & Gunn Kith and Kin Scottish Stout aged in Teeling Irish Whiskey Barrels arrived jet-black in color with a creamy tan head and lovely soft toasty notes in the nose. In the palate I got light roast with a hint of licorice, a pleasant creamy texture, and while I got suggestions of wood I did not really get much of the whiskey. The beer finishes dry and roasty.

While I found this to be a tasty, easy drinking stout, it is advertised as whiskey barrel aged, and I didn’t get the whiskey. So, a demerit for that, but otherwise an enjoyable beer worth trying.



Home