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Harviestoun Ola Dubh (12 Year Old) 3.79 324

Harviestoun Ola Dubh (12 Year Old)

Percentile
97
overall
Brewed by Harviestoun
Style: Old Ale

Alva, Central, Scotland

bottled
common

on tap
available

Broad Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
3243.81/5.03.79/5.0Special8%96.1English pint, Snifter
Commercial Description:
Ola Dubh (or ‘Black Oil’) is a collaboration between Harviestoun Brewery and Highland Park, Distiller of the Year*. It is based on Harviestoun’s award-winning Old Engine Oil. With more than a stylistic nod to the classic Imperial Porters (and Stouts) of the nineteenth century, this deliciously rich, dark, 8% a.b.v. beer is the first ale to be aged in malt whisky casks from a named distillery and, with traceable casks and numbered bottles, the rest with genuine provenance. Ola Dubh will initially be available in three different expressions; the initial release will be of small batches aged in casks formerly used to mature Highland Park 12 Year Old, Highland Park 16 Year Old and Highland Park 30 Year Old. Further variants are planned for the future. Ola Dubh is, in the words of beer afficionado Owen D.L. Barstow: “The most interesting new British beer I have tried in years.”
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 Headbanger (1598), Aurora, Illinois, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/103/515/20
Apr 24, 2008  
12oz bottle (Thanks to Hopscotch)-Pours a pitch black with a small tan ring for a head. Aroma of whisky, coffee, and roasted malt. Taste begins with nothing then builds into the whisky and alcohol. Very well balanced and subtle with its flavors.


 Cornfield (4969), Oak Forest, Illinois, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/517/20
Apr 24, 2008  
Bottle 06256, September 2007 - Pours out a thick dark brown fluid that turns black in the glass with some mahogany at the edges. Instead of a head it has a slender pale tan ring. Multi-faceted aroma - charred wood, molasses, dark chewy malt, aniseed, bittersweet chocolate, alcohol. Thick and creamy mouthfeel albeit alcohol heated on the tongue. The flavors has the addition of some roastiness and the alcohol is more evident. A tasty brew even for an avowed hophead.

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 rustychiles (1058), Mesa, Arizona, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/103/517/20
Apr 24, 2008  
Pours a deep and evil viscous motor oil black with small brown head. Aroma of whisky, malt, roasted barley and fruits. Flavor of barley, molasses, whiskey meld with a fruity flavor and all combine into this well put together brew. Now if it wasn’t so damn expensive I’d do it again.


 alexanderj (2280), Chino Hills, California, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/515/20
Apr 23, 2008  
bottle; poured dark brown/black with smallish light brown head. Aroma of wood, roasted malt, whiskey, caramel, fruit and peat. Really solid flavor. Enjoyed it alot. Found it to be very drinkable considering the aging and ABV. Found the aging to be done well. Whiskey was present, but not dominant. Other flavors include chocolate, roasted malt/peat?, caramel and maybe some vanilla and meat.


 Bockyhorsey (2552), Mesa, Arizona, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/104/515/20
Apr 22, 2008  
Bottle # 04034 Sept 2007. Aromas of wood, wet grains and molasas. Black body with somewhat of a dark tan head tried to form. As beer warmed up bodytexture a creamy mouthfeel along with some sweet malt licorice flavor. Mild brew and easy on the palate leaving a slight sweet dry aftertaste. Good old ale.


 ABUSEDGOAT (1934), California, USA
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/514/20
Apr 21, 2008  
Blackish pour, moderate head with decent lacing and retention. Aroma is smoke with some whiskey notes. Chocolate and caramel malts, lightly roasted with vanilla. Medium to full bodied, quite sweet. Not bad, but could be a lot better.


 BBB63 (4267), La Porte, Indiana, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Apr 21, 2008  
Bottle # 11243 and served in my NB worthy glass (vertical of 12/18/30):

Nearly opaque with a fading but lasting head and minimal lace but some oily legs upon the glassware. The aroma has notes of charred wood and Black Patent malt, star anise, sun ripened prune, heavy liquid vanilla extract, massive alcohol vapours, and some lovely smoked peat bog.

The taste starts with a robust porter malt roundhouse followed by a right jab of twangy fruit finishing with a knockout uppercut of boozy scotch and wood flavors. What ever hop bitterness that may have been in the beer is long gone. Swallowed by a wonderful complex earthy and herbal character.

The mouth feel is sharp and oily with a noticeable warming about the chest. A beauty of a brew IMO, but I knew I should enjoy this since it is a combination of two of my favorite vises, Olde English Ales and Scotch Whisky!


 BOLTZ7555 (1107), Phoenix, Arizona, USA
2.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/103/54/103/59/20
Apr 20, 2008  
Tried a sample thanks to Jonpol. Gracias!!! Unfortunately, the most redeeming quality of this one was the bottle. Mahogany pour with a swirl for a head. The aroma is sweet and woody. Definitely can taste the alcohol here, but better when warmed. Thin with obvious notes of scotch. Not a favorite.



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