Sampling Innis & Gunn’s ‘Vanishing Point 06’ – An Imperial Stout That’s Truly Royal!

‘Vanishing Point 06’ – an Imperial Stout brewed in special collaboration with The Glenlivet!

Innis & Gunn, one of the UK’s most successful craft beer businesses, recently unveiled ‘Vanishing Point 06’, an Imperial Stout brewed in special collaboration with The Glenlivet. Just 1,500 bottles of ‘Vanishing Point 06’, an 11% Imperial Stout, were available and they quickly sold out!

The latest in Innis & Gunn’s annual Vanishing Point series, ‘Vanishing Point 06’ has been matured in oak casks that previously held The Glenlivet 18-year-old, one of the finest single malt whiskies in the world.

During its 365 days of maturation in The Glenlivet 18-year-old casks, ‘Vanishing Point 06’ has taken on characteristics of the whisky left behind in the oak, which harmonise beautifully with hints of dark chocolate and caramel from the beer.

Our first edition of Vanishing Point was in 2016 and since then each annual release of the beer has been an evolution of the last. A ‘Vanishing Point’ is something always slightly beyond reach and this name perfectly fits this beer and our quest for continual progression in brewing, evolving year by year.

Collaborating with The Glenlivet to mature this beer in their rare 18-year-old whisky casks has taken ‘Vanishing Point 06′ to another level, introducing flavours and complexity that only a whisky skilfully matured in this way, could have left in the casks.
– Dougal Gunn Sharp: Founder and Master Brewer

Innis & Gunn kindly sent me a sample to try before they all went. Thanks Innis & Gunn / @innisandgunn!

A very moreish, sweet, dark, creamy glass of perfection!

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – Innis & Gunn ‘Vanishing Point 06’ Imperial Stout (11%)

Nose: Sweet, malty, chocolate with stout aromas and toffee.

Palate: Creamy, smooth, sweet, malty chocolate with additional toffee and treacle.

Finish: Much of the palate above with an additional zingy effervescence and theres also a slight bitter ‘hopiness’ at the end.

Overall: Great flavours, satisfyingly robust ABV and it doesn’t have the bitter finish of other stouts. A very moreish, sweet, dark, creamy glass of perfection!

‘Vanishing Point 06’ was a superb quality drink and I think it’ll be well worth keeping a close eye out for the next Innis & Gunn release!

About Innis & Gunn:

Since its foundation in 2003, Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn has grown to become one of the UK’s most successful craft beer businesses. Using innovative techniques including oak cask maturation, Innis & Gunn brew multi-award-winning beers including the flagship ‘The Original’ and Innis & Gunn Lager Beer, recently awarded at The Great Taste Awards. The brewer’s portfolio also includes a range of IPAs and a line of bespoke limited-edition brews which demonstrate quality, innovation and craft.