Innis & Gunn Irish Whiskey Stout & Scottish Pale Ale Return

The barrel-aged stout became hot property when it was released in bottles in February 2012. The world’s first beer to be aged in former Irish whiskey barrels, it sold out in record time – 40,000 bottles dispatched to Sweden vanished in just 10 days, and it was a similar story in the US – and later gained industry acclaim at the International Beer Challenge.

Innis & Gunn CEO, Dougal Sharp, commented: “Drinkers were totally bowled over with the delicious flavor of Irish Whiskey Cask – it disappeared almost overnight leaving trade customers and consumers asking us for more of it. To avoid disappointing drinkers this year we’ve made twice the amount, which will be shared among all our markets. We have also kegged Irish Whiskey Cask as a special treat for our North American fans.”

2013 marks the first time that the independent brewer, which is renowned as a pioneer in oak-ageing, has introduced a seasonal program to straddle a Limited Edition planner.

Ten years since Innis & Gunn first came on the scene with its flagship Original brew, the company intends to celebrate with an ambitious NPD line-up that will really showcase its beer-making capabilities. The program includes another world first: a beer matured with Canadian Black Cherrywood, and, to celebrate the brewer’s 10th anniversary, a 100% barrel-matured vintage ale.

Dougal added: “We’ve had such an incredible journey since we first launched Original ten years ago. More and more drinkers are turning on to our beers because they relate to our story and our ambition to create flavorful, delicious beers with personality. We saw 2013, our tenth anniversary, as a real opportunity for us to push our creativity with flavor and come up with some really extraordinary beer styles.”

When it hits shelves in March, Irish Whiskey Cask will be the first release in the inaugural Seasonal program. A deep, complex and smooth Scottish stout, Irish Whiskey Cask features aromas of intense dark chocolate and treacle, alongside Innis & Gunn’s signature vanilla oak notes.

Irish Whiskey Cask pricing from – cost and availability dependent on state:

Retail: $9.99 a four-pack (NYC and Tristate area)

Draft: $6-$7 for a 12oz pour

Tasting notes:

Color: Black

Nose: Notes of oak, vanilla, chocolate and treacle

Palate: Rich and intense dark chocolate

Finish: Complex and satisfying with a lingering oaky
.