Harviestoun Old Engine Oil Special Reserve

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

Poured black with very little head. Aroma mostly whisky and oak. Palate a bit thin, lacks carbonation. Flavor was pretty heavy on the oak and whiskey, notes with a dry oaky finish. A decent old ale.

I feel evil rating this beer so high, but it was excellent. I wanted to rate it higher, but was influenced by the other ratings. I just loved it. My favorite at the festival. Great caramel malty aroma. Great fine bubble head. Sweet dark rich color. Mellow, well balanced. A perfect tiny bit of oxidation. Tried at Pizza Port’s Real Ale festival from bottle. Now I’m going to look for more at the store. I tried a fresh bottle and again it was excellent. 2002 bottle from Mesa Liquor tried on 8/21/07: Heard psst when opening bottle. Quick disappear bubbles on glass edge. No head. Old musty aroma, leather, some oak, no melanoidal malt aroma could have some spoilage, but from the smell it is minimal. Taste is flat, dull, low in flavor. A tiny bit of tonque puckering. 5,2.5,4,2,9:2.2. Yuck, certainly past it’s prime.

11.2 oz. bottle in Atlanta, cold in a wine glass. MA01/07.

App.: Deep dark cola, opaque, medium mocha head, moderate lacing. Aroma: Tangy, smokey, wood, dark dried fruits, some chocolate and vanilla notes; hint of brine, dark and rich! Palate: Fairly full bodied, soft carbonation, smooth. Flav.: Loads of dark molasses, dried fruits, chocolate, coffee, licorice and rootbeer notes; off-dry, moderately bitter; alcohol is fairly evident on the finish.

Substantial and delicious.

alcohol taste is prominent. there is a classic man’s taste of whiskey/wood and a classic soul that one should appreciate -bravo!- the flavor is matched but not too well. bit tangy and tart with a casky flavor imbided in the beer from.... something(s) else. cigar and the fruits as stated, all in all one to try and try again before gaining appropriate appreciatiion. ssmmootth and classy.smokey and old.

pours dark with ruby highlights. aroma is woody, chocolate, ripe dark fruit, and sherry. taste is both choco sweet and tart with wood highlights and some vinous tones. finish has some bitter choco but still maintains some tartness.

The beer pours a pitch black color with a tiny tan head. The aroma is coffee, chocolate and roasted nuts. Excellent, flavorful taste with chocolate, malt, yeast and coffee. The mouthfeel is nice and smooth, really coating as it goes down.

Poures very dark with just the faintest of ruby highlights and has a deep brwon head. Aroma is Chocolate, sweet malt, lightly roasted coffee, and some alcohol. Medium body with a fairly smooth body, but it does have noticeable carbonation. Chocolate, roasted malts, sweet, dark fruit, and a bit of alcohol. Finishes with more alcohol. Tasted side by side with the original, which is better than this brew. Still, this is a great ale.

Pours dark brown with tan head. Chocolate aromas, with a very light trace of fruit. Initial flavor is medium sweetness, thicker mouthfeel. Finishes nice bitter chocolate taaste. Very pleasant beer!