RateBeer

Harviestoun Ola Dubh (16 Year Old)

Percentile
98
overall
Brewed by Harviestoun
Style: Old Ale

Alva, Central, Scotland

bottled
common

on tap
available

Broad Distribution
Find this beer

Add Distribution Data
send corrections | shelftag |
RatingsAverageScoreABVStyle PctlServe in
2783.82/5.03.8/5.08%96English 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?  
 beerbuzzmontreal (2911), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/103/515/20
Jun 28, 2008  
Pitch black color with a thin light brown head. Aroma of scotch, chocolate and malt. Interesting flavor of scotch, wood, chocolate and malt. The body is light to medium with a liquorous texture and soft carbonation.


 thedm (3834), Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
4.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/105/58/104/518/20
Jun 26, 2008  
This bottled brew from Indianapolis, IN poured a very small sized head of foam with a frothy top and dark brown colored quickly diminishing bubbles. The body was opaque with a black color and no visible carbonation. The aroma was of very nice dark malts and dark roasted chocolaty malts. The mouth feel was mildly tingly from start to finish with a smooth rich flavor and a soft hop backing. The flavor contained notes of nice chocolate dark malts and a smooth whiskey backing.


 HomeBrewHawk (269), De Soto, Kansas, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/516/20
Jun 19, 2008  
11.2 oz. bottle served in a brandy snifter. Poured a deep brown/black with a finger of tan head. Chocolate, vanilla, and a hint of peat smoke in the aroma. Also some fruity aromas. Medium bodied, a little thin for me. The whiskey flavor is more in the beginning. There’s also plenty of chocolate and roasted malt. A little sweetness in the middle, but a very dry malt finish with cocoa. I was a little disappointed in this. I expected more scotch character, and the body seemed a little thin. There’s nothing wrong with it, but at $7 a bottle, I want a happy ending!


 19641948 (492), Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
3.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/56/104/514/20
Jun 14, 2008  
Bottle No. & Date: 02457 / Sept 2007. Pours, as the 12, a deep inky black with a scant mocha head that whittles away to a tight collar with a swirly film on top. A touch more boozy than the 12 in the aroma, plus a boost of peat. Woody, peaty, and boozy flavors. More forceful than the 12. Quite a load of scotch character here. A touch thicker than the 12 it seems. As with the 12, as it warms and it lingers, a flair of sourmash molasses finishes the deal, leaving you unable to let it sit and mellow; rather, you must almost pound it cold to avoid the untoward character.


 dwyerpg (2529), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
4.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/105/59/105/519/20
Jun 13, 2008  
Aroma not as intense as the 12. Immediately thicker than the 12, this is the thickest of the bunch. Sweet and strong, it has a solid consistency from start to finish. Excellent.


 LinusStick (1831), Moon Twp, suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
3.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/56/102/516/20
Jun 12, 2008  
A little less flavorful than the 12 in my opinion. Aroma was more scotch than anything else. Pour was the same deep black with no bubbles or head. Taste was more one dimensional. There are hints of chocolate and peat, but the whiskey is more dominant throughout. No aftertaste to speak of. All in all it’s a good old ale, though.


 pepsican (885), The Student Ghetto, Iowa, USA
3.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/56/103/512/20
Jun 8, 2008  
Seems to be the weakest of the three. Black pour with a thin tan head. Aroma is more whiskey and oak. Flavor is more strong oak, chocolate, booze, molasses. Has a bit of funky sourness. Finishes boozy, kind of a mess.


 thornecb (1757), Marblehead, Massachusetts, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Jun 7, 2008  
Pours deep black into a snifter. Mocha head quickly recedes to hug rim. Smoked peat aromas. Viscous and peaty with a lasting scotch finish.



CONSIDER FREE RATEBEER MEMBERSHIP



Join us! RateBeer is made by beer enthusiasts for the craft beer community. Your basic membership is free and allows you to read all beer ratings. Click here to create your account... and give your opinion!

SIGN UP NOW »

View Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28


About RateBeer | Add A Beer | Log In | Edit Personal Info | 100 Beer Club | FAQ | Feedback?
Copyright © 2000-2009, RateBeer LLC