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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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 Ratings  Average  Score  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in  Advanced 
1383.76/5.03.75/5.08%92.1 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?
 mgumby10 (1624), West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/104/517/20

Jul 5, 2008  
Pours pretty jet black, with a small, quickly dispersing, light brown head. The smell is rich with caramel cream, light peat, molasses, gingerbread, dark fruit, and mild chocolate. Really dug that nose. The flavor was a little heavier on the peat and smoke than the nose let on, although not too burning or up front. Left some nice heat in the finish however. The flavor was of burnt malts and dark fruit mixing with mild chocolate bitterness and woodsy oak. Well carbonated, more than I expected. The finish was a little fruity sweet, with the mild chocolate notes becoming apparent a bit. Very nice brew indeed.

 nearbeer (1224), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
4.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/105/518/20
Aug 28, 2008  
33 cl, number 10053, bottled Sept 07. Small head that lasts leaving a soapy film of frosting on the glass. Aroma is hickory wood, oak, whiskey, caramel, chocolate, soy sauce, coffee, raisin, peat, vanilla, beef jerky. Flavors are similar, and then some. More mint and smoke on the finish. Medium-heavy body is dry and smooth with light carbonation. Although this one is fantastic, I like the others in the series better; they seemed to be a little sweeter.


 dchmela (695), Orlando, Florida, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/103/58/103/516/20
Aug 27, 2008  
Bottle cracks open with just a hint of carbonation and out pours some very thick and oily beer with just a hint a a dark tan head. Peat, fresh wood, and whiskey dominate the aroma. Taste is smooth and malty, but overly thick and cloying. Has a dry edge to it, some chocolate also. Finishes a little thick, but overall a very nice sipping drink and a unique beverage.


desdemoor (10), London, Greater London, England
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/518/20
Aug 25, 2008  
Review bottle from brewery, number 01146, 33cl. Black, thick fine deep fawn head, dark malt, wood and black cherry fruit aroma with an obvious but light whisky note, not as pronounced as 12-year-old expression. Smooth viscous chocolate and wood palate with obvious whisky cask cut through by lightly vinous and sharpish notes, tangy slightly minty finsh with some alcoholic warmth, sherry, chocolate and raisin notes, late charred tones and a touch of hops in a very long finish, excellently balanced between malt and a fruity tang. Overall my favourite of the three 2007 Ola Dubh releases.


 coldbrewky (489), 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 (132), 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.




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