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Harviestoun Ola Dubh (16 Year Old)

Harviestoun Ola Dubh (16 Year Old)

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 Percentile 
95
overall
An Old Ale brewed by
Harviestoun

Alva, Central, Scotland

bottled
common

on tap
available

Broad Distribution
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1353.76/5.03.74/5.08%92 Dimpled mug, Stein P  Stats

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 RecentTop RatersHighest Ratings Who's Rated This?
 Cornfield (4255), Oak Lawn, Illinois, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/59/104/517/20

May 11, 2008  
Bottle 02529, Sept. 2007 - Yep. "Gloopy and viscuous" it is, indeed. It pours a thick, dark brown body that for a few moments has a skinny little brown head. The aroma is a blending of whiskey, bittersweet chocolate, dark stone fruit, dates, and wood. Thick, creamy, and hot in the mouth. The flavor has the addition of peat smoke, hard nuts, and an earthy bitterness. The finish is hot, malty, bitter, and sticky. Very nice.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp?PlaceID=4540>Sal’s Beverage World, Elmhurst, IL<font size=-1>


 coldbrewky (484), Saugerties, New York, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Aug 18, 2008  
Bottle# 10884 (2007) Courtesy of the sloth. Pours black and gloopy. Nose is pungent and remeniscent of a wet cellar in some old mansion: Caramel malts, wet wood and a touch of whiskey spilled on the floor...and some blackberries? Body is rich, smooth and surprisingly only Medium +. Mouthfeel is on the short side. Head is revived easily by the cat merely headbutting the small table for attention. Lingering whiskey bite at finish where the normal hop finish is expected. Some droopy lacing. Wonder how this will taste with a few years of dust on the bottle.


 nbutler11 (108), Phoenix, Arizona, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/515/20
Aug 10, 2008  
What a difference 4 years makes. Poured like motor oil from the bottle with a faint head of tan foam. Similar aroma to the 12 year, but significantly more smooth and flavorful than it’s predecessor. Not a very ambitious brew by any means, but certainly something to appreciate.


 SilkTork (3853), Rochester, Kent, England
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
5/105/55/105/518/20
Aug 10, 2008  
Chris_o’s GBBF Shindig 08. Rich & heady. Very smooth and malty with a nip of bitterness. Tastes like Old Engine Oil. Aroma has some awareness of whiskey, but essentially this reminds me of Old Engine Oil.


 JasonG (629), Cleveland, Ohio, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/57/104/516/20
Aug 10, 2008  
12 oz bottle - Opaque black color with small medium tan head. Aroma is full of molasses, dark caramel, ash, raisens, subtle smoke. Flavor is full of roasted caramel, bitter malts, dates, oak, faint roastyness. Finish is fairly bitter for the style. Overall it’s good, but doesn’t quite live up to the hype or the price. I don’t get much scotch out of it.


 Mes_and_Sim (4176), London, Greater London, England
3.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/57/103/514/20
Aug 6, 2008  
A Mes rate: bottle at Chris O’s Pre GBBF Tasting.
Thick blackness with a thin beige head. Thick, oily and viscous. Slight Highland Park showing but not in a particularly good way, far too much soy. Slight coffee and chocolate. Clear wood and roasted malt. Doesn’t really sit right in the mouth for what it is also. Good stuff but not worth all the hype if you ask me.




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