Harviestoun Ola Dubh (16 Year Old)

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

THOUGHTS: Not too much different than the 12 Year Old. Hid the alcohol a little better and was more balanced. The coffee that was in the 12 is now chocolate and smoke is more tame. But there is still a little coffee. TECHNICAL: Bottle. Poured a dark brown that was black in the glass with very slight amber highlights and a small, sudsy, tan head that mostly diminished. The aroma was moderate toasted, chocolate and strong coffee malts; cola, salt, dark fruit, whiskey and light smoke. The initial flavor was lightly sweet; while the finish was moderately sweet and bitter with an average to long duration. There was smoke, caramel, a little dark fruit, chocolate, coffee and roasted malt. The medium to full body was oily and slightly syrupy with soft carbonation and a moderate astringent, light alcoholic and slight smokey finish.

Pours an oily, flat-looking black colour with some large bubbles clinging to the edges of the glass. The aroma is very rich and sweet with definitive notes of smoke, chocolate, dried fruits, and caramelized sugar, coffee and oak. The flavour has a very distinctive scotch presence with loads of smokey goodness that are noticeable instantaneously. There are sweet flavours of chocolate, cocoa and some dried fruits, though much less than in the aroma. The palate is a bit watery, with short residence time. The hints of smoke linger the longest.

33 cl bottle at Cardinal, Stavanger - shared with Roger on my birthday. (Bottle no 60862, jan. 2009). Dark brown, almost black color,nice but moderate brown head. Aroma is whisky, whisky, whisky. Flavor is the same, with sweetness, dried fruit. Medium dry finish.

Intriguing. Pours a dense black with minimal head (never an issue for me). An intense aroma of chocolate and whiskey. The flavor is smokey (but maybe more of an ashen smokey, in fact like a high end Scotch) and slightly boozy. It’s not as complex as I anticipated, but this is one of the few beers I’ve had recently that made me think I need to try 2 or 3 more before I can really appreciate it. There’s a pleasantly bitter (but not really hoppy aftertaste). The key question: is it worth the $9 I paid for an 11.2-ounce bottle. I think, after I’ve had a couple more, I’ll say "yes." Then comes the next question: am I intrigued enough to try the 30 for $15 a bottle? Not sure yet. Stay tuned.

Pours a thick looking, inky chocolate brown to virtually black color. A frothy, cream colored head settles to a thin film with a prominent, bubbly edge. Random patches and splatterings of lace mark the glass. The nose shows dark chocolate, caramel, sweet peaty smoke, dry whiskey, and some earthy hop character. At this point, I can’t believe how much better this smells than the 12 year. The first sip is nearly mind blowing, as the balance is damn near perfect, a stark contrast to the 12 year version, which was far more harsh. Sweet and bitter dark chocolates lay the base, while soft peat and smooth whiskey add perfectly subtle compliments. There’s a lactic creaminess that goes incredibly well with the dry smokiness. The body is medium-full and silky smooth, finishing slightly dry and chalky, with lingering peat on the tongue. This is a flat-out awesome brew. I can’t believe how much better this is than the 12. A chocolate and scotch lover’s dream.

Bottle Number 04291 (Thanks Argo0!) Vertical of 12 – 16 – 30 years. Aroma for this one is similar to the 12 with notes of molasses, peat (though less than with the 12) coffee (stronger than the 12), chocolate (less than the 12) and dried fruit (far less than the 12), alcohol (more so than the 12), with one that was not really present in the 12 (mild dishsoap) no, I didn’t just wash my hands! The flavor is stronger in some ways from the 12 and milder in others. The vanilla flavor is more intense and the dried fruitiness has mellowed. The molasses is strong as is the coffee though the chocolate is less than the 12. The finish is easier to handle than the 12 as it is less sticky and sweet though I am not implying that it is neither. I like this one better than the 12.

Deep brown in color with a small tan head. Aroma is of oak, whiskey, chocolate, molasses, and toffee. Taste is of oak, molasses, vanilla and whiskey.

bottle 9/07. pours a dark black sticking with it’s name. little tan head - which leaves nothing behind. nice aroma filled with molasses, dark fruits and a touch of alcohol. very thin body and kind of one dimensional, although that one dimension is quite enjoyable. some sweetness, a bit of vanilla and the whisky comes through on the finish. I was hoping for a bit more body out of this one.... but overall a very enjoyable ale. Not worth the price tag though.