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Harviestoun Ola Dubh (16 Year Old) 3.8 284

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
2843.82/5.03.8/5.08%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?  
 illidurit (896), Santa Cruz, California, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Mar 26, 2008  
Bottle #6901 poured into a snifter. Completely black with no highlights. Head is about a finger high and leaves a maze of thin lacing. Smoky and sweet aroma. Notes of peat and bourbon which weren’t present in the 12. Flavor is quite smoky and peaty too. The bourbon is stronger here than in the 12 but it still doesn’t overpower anything. Nice oak influence complements the roastiness well. Mouthfeel is on the thin side just like the 12. Carbonation is also a little higher. Finish isn’t very clean, as smoke and peat are more prominent than roasted grain.


 blutt59 (2169), Dallas, Texas, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/104/516/20
Dec 12, 2008  
bottle, couldnt read number, very black color with faint chocolate head, aroma of peat, oak and pecan wood and some spicy chocolate, flavor is wonderful mix of chocolate, roasted chestnuts, ground coffee, light whiskey and smokey finish


 EHopper (348), Minnesota, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Oct 13, 2008  
Black with aroma of coffee and fine tobacco. Well balanced flavor of burnt wood, sweet malt, dark, dark fruit and a bit of slight whisky and bitter aftertaste. Very, very good.


 KnN (751), Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/105/58/104/518/20
Mar 28, 2008  
Definite Scotch notes on the aroma. Pours black as your soul with almost no head. Lots of chocolate notes here but it is so chewy and complex. Really good beer with a lot going on in it. I want another one just to savor all the flavors going on.


 dutch23mp (169), Mount Prospect, Illinois, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Jun 6, 2009  
The aroma gets high marks. Well balanced and the ABV is well hidden you can really make out the malt whisky casks dark and rich very smooth. Hints of Chocolate as well as vanilla great brew.


 Lalli (164), Helsinki, Finland
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/104/516/20
Apr 2, 2009  
Nice deep black color with small head. Nose is filled with roasted malts, smoke, and liquorice, as wel as more gentle nuances such as vanilla. Flavor is equally roasted, with hints of smoky whisky. A big and round mouthfeel makes the beer work on many levels. Very nice.


 mikkopen (270), Oulu, Finland
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Jun 18, 2009  
330 ml bottle. Almost black, with a thin but creamy tan head. Aroma of roasted malts, chocolate, oak, vanilla, whisky and a hint of smoke and alcohol. Warm, roasted malty flavour with a strong presence of whiskey and chocolate and a hint of liquorice. Delicious.


 DuffManSW (297), Riverside, California, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/58/105/515/20
May 27, 2009  
Bottle from La Bodega in Riverside... Bottle 13180/ Sept 2007...Pours Black with a creamy light brown head...Smell is smoke, beef jerky and some salty caramel..Flavor is dark chocolate, coffee and some smoke with that dark chocolate bitterness.. Very smooth with low carbonation... I was kinda hoping for a sweeter beer but it is still good though.



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