Harviestoun Ola Dubh (16 Year Old)

	Percentile
	96
	overall

An Old Ale brewed by
Harviestoun
Alva, Central, Scotland

bottled
common

on tap
available

Broad Distribution
Find this beer

Send Corrections

Ratings Average Score ABV Style Pctl Serve in Advanced
172 3.8/5.0 3.79/5.0 8% 94.1 English pint, Snifter P Stats

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?

nightrider (258), encinitas, California, USA

3.6	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.6	7/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	16/20

Jun 7, 2008
Poured a dark brown black with a thin brown mocha head. Good aroma of coffee and malt. Medium body with a bit of carbonation. Fair mouthfeel and not as smooth and rich as would have hoped. Flavors of some booze, oak, malt, molasses. Not bad tough could be much better.

astrofrk (95), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	6/10	4/5	7/10	4/5	17/20

Nov 29, 2008

Very Black. Big tan head. Aroma: Smokey chocolate malt. Flavor: Smokey chocolate malt, scotch. Sweet finish. Smooth!

JoeMcPhee (3899), Jackson Heights, New York, USA

4.3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.3	8/10	4/5	9/10	5/5	17/20

Nov 20, 2008

Bottle shared with pilsnerpeter. Very dark brown/black beer with a thick, fine-laced tan head. Aroma is very oaky and cocoa-laden. Rich whiskyish/caramel nose, light sweetness and a bit of nice rich oakiness. The aroma is really lovely, soft and oaky. Very rich flavour of cocoa, caramel and a soft slightly smoky scotch flavour. The peaty/smoky character is really apparent retronasally. Despite all of the complexity, the beer is surprisingly drinkable. Chewy and light salty with a bit of soft briny roastiness. Not boozy at all, and just a generally delicious brew.

Snojerk321 (1124), San Diego, California, USA

4	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4	8/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	16/20

Nov 19, 2008

Bottle @ Toronado. Dark brown with a smallish tan head. Aroma is deeper in sweetness and fruity notes than that of the 12yo. Still plenty of bourbon barrel. Flavor retains a nice smokey to sweet balance with more raisin and toffee. Nice malt balance.

dogfish120love (112), west hartford, Connecticut, USA

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	8/10	4/5	7/10	3/5	16/20

Nov 18, 2008

Appearance: Pours dark brown, appears black in glass. Head is a tannish brown Smell: Heavy notes of chocolate, malt, burnt sugar and alcohol. Flavor: Has a funky almost smoked flavor for a finnish, must be the barrel its aged in. Has a slightly woody/ scotch like after taste as well. Definitely different Palate: Smooth yet funky Not the biggest fan but not bad Serving type: bottle

bierkoning (5077), La Tropica, Netherlands

3.9	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.9	8/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	15/20

Nov 18, 2008

Bottle from Lithy, thanks! Almost black and opague. Dark chocolate and peat in the aroma. Full bodied. Malty and peaty flavor with dark chocolate. This peat and oak hide the body of this beer. Good complexity.

would you like to read more ratings?

Then join us! RateBeer is made by beer enthusiasts for the craft beer community. Your basic membership is free and allows you to read all beer ratings.

Desired User Name
*

Valid Email (Needed to verify your account)
*

Relax. RateBeer is 100%, guaranteed spam-free. That's our promise to you.

I agree to the terms of the RateBeer User Agreement

RATE THIS BEER
Aroma
Appearance
Flavor
Palate
Overall impression
TOTAL SCORE
Comments

More Old Ales

AleSmith Barrel Aged Decadence (4.09)

Kuhnhenn Fourth Dementia Old Ale (4.02)

Harviestoun Ola Dubh (30 Year Old) (3.92)

Kuhnhenn English Strong Ale (3.84)

Moor Old Freddy Walker (3.81)

Town Hall Old Ale (3.8)

Milton Mammon (3.8)

Founders Curmudgeon Old Ale (3.8)

Fish Tale Old Woody English Old Ale (3.79)

Harviestoun Ola Dubh (12 Year Old) (3.78)