Harviestoun Ola Dubh (16 Year Old)

Brewed by Harviestoun
Style: Old Ale
Alva, Central, Scotland

11.2oz bottle, # 06409 bottled Sept 2007. Sampled side-by-side with the 12 and 30. Pours very deep brown, nearly opaque, with a very thin tan head. Aroma of chocolate malt, vanilla, and peat. Flavor is a nice mixture between peat and vanilla. I thought this was a bit better than the 16.

330 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Bottle No. 61520. ABV is 8.0%. Pitch black colour, big to moderate and creamy tan head. The whisky oak cask with peaty smoke and notes of tar comes through in the aroma, followed by notes of roastiness (roast malts, coffee) and chocolate. The aroma is more mellow and subdued than the 12 y.o., but still nice. The flavour has also here loads of rich malty sweetness, immediately followed by distinct notes of peaty smoke - it is again quite amazing what impact the whisky cask has. Dark chocolate in the middle. The finish has a firm bitterness from the hops and burnt malts, while the peaty smoke lasts through the long aftertaste. A truly impressive beer, but if you don’t like scotch whisky at all, this might not be the beer for you. Not easy drinking (somewhat smoother than the 12 y.o., though), but a great sipping beer, and a real treat for any lover of peatiness.

appearance of dark charcoal with a medium head ring .. . chocolate and molasses with a light smokey chocolate air .. . like a heavenly beery chocolate milkshake, without the ice cream .. . strange yet refined booziness with a side of deliciousness .. . a nice brew, and i don’t shower, so that’s what that is.... "the"

(Bottled) Very dark brown with a medium, beige and firm, slighty lacy head. Aroma of peaty, roasted maltiness, some oak and potato-like starchiness, dried fruit (especially when warm), and licorice hints. Strongly roasty, even charcoal-like at first, but licorice, slight smokiness, oak and peaty malt come and quickly smooth out the initial roughness. Red-wineous, tannic finish with a long, dry, bitter and peaty whisky aftertaste. Medium, slicky body with slightly foamy carbonation. Very intense in flavor - and despite the burnedness, the package remains pleasant and balanced. I wasn’t too thrilled after sampling the 12 yo, but now I can’t wait to get a sip of the 30...

Thanks for sharing Yaniv! Dark brown with a thin tan head. Sweeter barrel infused nose. Light bandaid perhaps? I thought this would be peatless, but guess not. Molasses and some very winey lightly woody notes. Lower carbonation and perhaps a bit thinner for the style. Sweet balanced flavor. Some roast, a little astringent. Light oak Light bandaid. Lingering roast. This is a very nice little sipper.

Bottle. Almost black with a creamy light brown head. Roasted chocolate aroma that ends up very peaty with good hints of vanilla. Tasting peaty vanilla, some mild chocolate, medicinal character. Noticeable alcohol. Soft, full-bodied. Highland Park is still very present- wonderful!

Bottle. Peaty peaty peaty with strong chocolate notes underneath. Definite smoke presence in the middle there. Some molasses and caramel as it warms and as I finish vanilla lingers. A treat.

[Bottle] Pours a deep black with a smallish tan head. Aroma is some boozy scotch, vanilla, oak, and roasted malts. Flavor matches well, with a really nice rich mouthfeel. Plenty of vanilla from the oak and bourbon, a touch of coconut, and a roasty finish.