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Harviestoun Ola Dubh (12 Year Old)

Harviestoun Ola Dubh (12 Year Old) - Old Ale

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 Percentile 
97
overall
Brewed by Harviestoun
Style: Old Ale

Alva, Central, Scotland

bottled
common

on tap
available

Broad Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in 
3013.8/5.03.78/5.0Special8%95English pint, Snifter
View Statistics  P 

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?  
 nerdrocker101 (102), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/514/20
Jul 28, 2009  
Bottle. Pours a brown-black with no head. The aroma is a roasty, sweet smell of the whiskey and malts. Flavors of caramel, chocolate, and roasted malts with some alcohol on the palate. Medium-full body with a slick, oily texture.


 shigadeyo (2210), Harrison, Ohio, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/103/516/20
Jul 27, 2009  

Bottle No. & Date: 01848 / Sept 2007

2/26/2008: Harviestoun Ola Dubh Special Reserve 12 has a sweet malt whisky aroma with lots of caramelixed malts and is slightly roasty. It pours a clear, dark chesnut color and has a medium-full body. This beer is strong and smooth and has a nice roasted malt flavor blended with fine whisky, chocolate, and hints of smoke and vanilla.

Bottle (8% alc./vol.) shared by Tmoney99. Thanks Tom! Rating #276 for this beer.


 tarjei (1741), Bryne, Norway
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/104/516/20
Jul 8, 2009  
33 cl bottle at Cardinal, Stavanger - shared with Roger on my birthday. (Bottle no 04023, nov. 2008). Dark brown, almost black color, moderate lasting brown head. Aroma is whisky all the way! Flavor is whisky with hints of roasted malt and dried fruit. Sweet, but has a dry finish.


 PaulHegedus (458), Georgetown, Ontario, Canada
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/104/515/20
Jul 7, 2009  
Bottle, compared side by side with ’Old Engine Oil.’ This is a dark brown black colour in a snifter with no head. There is smoke in the aroma, some peat, molasses, wood. The mouthfeel is wonderful and thick. Flavour has plenty more peat, smoke, complex hints of whiskey, chocolate. Wonderful. Thanks to Peter for bringing this over to share.


 radiomgb (1921), Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/514/20
Jul 4, 2009  
Deep black in colour with a thin lingering beige head, light lacing. The aroma is of smoke, chocolate, roasted malts, cream with a moderate sweetness. The flavour is smoky, some light chocolate sweetness, smooth with a bit of alcohol. Lightly bitter mouthfeel, medium body, medium carbonation. Finishes long, smoky and warming.

This started off rather slowly and seemed a bit thin at first, but it did start to pick up. Rather one dimentional though.

330ml bottle from Sahara Mart in Bloomington, Indiana.
Opened on December 19, 2008.
Bottle #12924, Bottled September 2007.


 Jblauvs (531), Manchester, New Hampshire, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Jun 29, 2009  
dark dark borwn pour, no head. peaty roasty malty vinous notes. mouth is thick, smokey, chocolate malt bomb. a bit of coffee and chalk in the finish. great sipper


 craftycarl21 (513), South Hero, Vermont, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Jun 29, 2009  
Black pour with absolutely no head. Aroma is beautiful; vinous notes, dark fruit, caramel, molasses, roasted malt, peat, smoke are all heavily prevalent. Upon delving into the flavor, heavy concepts of smoke, peat, chocolate, booze, and heavy malt abound. Palate could be a bit fuller, but greatly drinkable considering the density and complexity of the flavors. Really really nice.


 oteyj (716), Canterbury, New Hampshire, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Jun 29, 2009  
Extremely dark brown pour with zero head. Aroma is smoky peat, some vinous notes, whiskey, and roasty malt. Flavor is chocolate, roast and smoke. Sweet malt is accentuated by the distinct presence of dark fruit, and a very dry burnt roasted malt. Incredible.



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