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Harviestoun Ola Dubh (16 Year Old) 3.8 285

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
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RatingsAverageScoreABVStyle PctlServe in
2853.82/5.03.8/5.08%96.2English 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?  
 PhillyBeer2112 (2093), Orange Park, Florida, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/103/516/20
Jul 17, 2008  
I was expecting a bit more from this. Poured very dark, not quite opaque, with no head and light carbonation. Aroma was oaky, touched with roast, smoke and a little chocolate or blackstrap molasses. Not much actual whiskey to the nose or flavor, just oaky from the barrel, and maybe just a tinge of vanilla. Palate was semi-dry with a dry-roasted finish.


 ¾ (5009), Boulder, Colorado, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/514/20
Apr 4, 2008  
Bottle shared by wickedpete. Nose of peppered fish and olive, much like the 12 year. Silky whiskey, roast and chocolate, more chocolate and roast than the 12, for sure, but still some of the oily celery/vegetable notes. Has more of a smoke and roast character, but still with the oily texture.


 zathrus13 (1317), Mount Laurel, New Jersey, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/515/20
Mar 22, 2008  
Black, with a light brown head. Aroma is smoke, fruit, roasted malt, and peat. Flavor is smoke, coffee, peat, licorice, and wood. A bit too much smoke for me, but not bad overall.


 Walt (2289), Chicago, Illinois, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/515/20
May 15, 2008  
Drank as a vertical of 12, 16, and 30: Pour is black with a tiny off white head...smell is roasty and sweet and not nearly as harsh as the 12...molasses and caramel and faintly smoky...somewhat medicinal though...taste is rich and smoky...lots of peat character and this one tastes much more of scotch than the 12...nothing really interesting or over the top about it though....


 MIBRomeo (1966), Wisconsin, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/103/514/20
Aug 11, 2009  
Sept 07 btl 9300 Dark opaque pour w/ a wispy tan head Hints of oak & vanilla hints of raisin lots of sweet sugars . Good pal a bit thin for what it is supposed to be Lots of dark fruit plum fig hard raisin flavors subtle wood dryness in the finish hints of sugar’d alcoohl good but lacking definition. Definitively not worth the price tag.


 marcus (1904), Sacramento, California, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/57/104/516/20
Jun 4, 2008  
This black ale poured with a thin brown head and a strong chocolate malt aroma. The flavor is roasted malt and cherry cordial with a bitter coffee finish. The single malt flavor is detectable, but not overwhelming.


 JMFG (1514), Florida, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/58/103/515/20
Apr 7, 2008  
Courtesy TheCheeseMan. Black pour, very little head. Sweet roasty aroma, a lot less alcohol present on the nose than the 12. Nicely balanced on the taste with the roast and oak the main players. Not really a lot of peat character here, but a more subtle brew than the 12.


 TheEpeeist (1496), Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/57/104/516/20
Jul 20, 2008  
11.2 oz bottle. Dark brown with a tan head. Nose is cocoa and dark chocolate; some wood with warming. Quite subtle. Creamy full body with a light sparkle. Taste is smooth grape and coffee with lingering oak, whiskey and vanilla. Flavors a bit dull but pretty good.



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