McAuslan St. Ambroise Scotch Ale

How can one of the best Scotch Ales I've ever tried be brewed in freakin' Quebec? But it is. I suppose I shouldn't complain really as my own family's distant roots are both Scottish and French, but it just seems a little odd that something this celtic should be brewed by Canadian francophones.  Its nose is all malts, whilst the colour is the deepest red that ever redded.  Medium carbonation leads to a wonderfully rich, malty flavour with just a wee bit of diacetyl but not enough to bother you.  Then it's all hints of liquorice and toasty vanilla with a nice hum from the 7.5% alcohol.  Mouthfeel isn't perhaps as smooth or luxurious as you'd expect for the style but this certainly isn't to say there's anything wrong with it.  Anyway, this is a great example of a Scotch ale and I love it. Some might find it heavy going but, *dood*, that's what Scotch ales are all about... and it really ain't that heavy. You could always 'downgrade' to McEwans. ;-) Highly Recommended.