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Harviestoun Ola Dubh (12 Year Old)

Percentile
97
overall
Brewed by Harviestoun
Style: Old Ale

Alva, Central, Scotland

bottled
common

on tap
available

Broad Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
3053.8/5.03.78/5.0Special8%95English 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?  
 Butters (1646), Virginia, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/104/513/20
May 27, 2009  
Sampled at the Alexi TN distributor’s tasting; thanks Jim Bird! Tasted alongside the 16 and 30 year. All poured a very dark brown with a very small dark tan head. Roasty, hammy and creamy smooth. Pretty tasty stuff, just too expensive.


 Ughsmash (3999), Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/104/514/20
May 20, 2009  
Bottle #5784, Sept. 2007. Poured rich, deep coffee brown with a swirly dusting of beige head. The aroma picked up sweeter, roasted chocolate and coffee notes laced with earthy and peaty whiskey.. the maltage here really came across as candy-like. The flavor had more of a blackstrap molasses and toasted black patent malt character with the smoky peat presence remaining the same.. mild oaky and whiskey sourness around the edges and through the finish, leaving a long-lasting impression. Sweeter than expected on the palate, which made it very dessert-y.. the whiskey presence cut through it nicely.. this was tasty, but certainly not great.


 Jonte (816), Gothenburg, Sweden
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/515/20
May 20, 2009  
Bottle. Haket. Gothenburg. Dark brown/black colour with a beige head. Aroma: a bit salty, roasted, smoky, dark fruit. Taste: Very smooth and creamy, dark fruit, sweetness, saltiness, oak, light smoke and peat. Rosted dry finish.


 darn1207 (549), Tallahassee, Florida, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/57/104/516/20
May 16, 2009  
bottle No. 26829/Sept 2007. jet black pour wih a thin beige head. aroma is burnt heavy malts, smoke, whiskey. tastes of light smoke, vanilla, dark chocolate and dark fruits. slick medium to light texture. subtle bitter finish. Good Stuff.


 garthicus (1274), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/104/517/20
May 6, 2009  
Shared by jerc and mabel with HogTownHarry and I. Thanks! Appearance: Pitch black, like motor oil/soy sauce with a tiny brown head. Aroma: Whiskey-cream, spices, leather and slight alcohol. Flavour: Smoky, peat, alcohol, hops, lots of wood (pine, but I know there’s no pine!) very enjoyable. (Bottle 11946)


 Tripplebrew (493), Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/103/516/20
May 5, 2009  
Pours a very dark espresso brown with dark tan head. Aroma is very bourbon vanilla with bready notes. Flavor is alcohol, oak, vanilla and roasted malts.


 anders37 (4607), Malmö, Sweden
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/515/20
May 5, 2009  
Bottle. Pours a very dark brown almost black color with a small off-white head. Has a rosated malty chocolate and licorice aroma. Roasted malty licorice flavor with some hints of oak. Has a roasted malty licorice and oaky finish.


 Rciesla (3600), Exit 15W, New Jersey, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/105/57/103/515/20
Apr 30, 2009  
Bottle. Pours a dark brown body with a tan thin lacing. Woody and dry as hell, hints of smoke and light chocolate malt. Very subtle, dry, and somewhat boozy. Hints of whiskey and dark fruit. Good brew but not worth the price tag.



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