RateBeer
Harviestoun Ola Dubh (30 Year Old) 3.92 307

Harviestoun Ola Dubh (30 Year Old)

Percentile
99
overall
Brewed by Harviestoun
Style: Old Ale

Alva, Central, Scotland

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
Find this beer

Add Distribution Data
send corrections | shelftag |
RatingsAverageScoreABVStyle PctlServe in
3073.95/5.03.92/5.08%98.1English 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?  
 Nisse666 (570), Göteborg, Sweden
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/58/104/518/20
Jan 30, 2010    Updated: Jan 31, 2010
Bottle 2010-01-30, Göteborg AR: vanilla, coffee, chocolate, whet, raspberry jam AP: soot black, dark brown head looks likes there are chocolate bits in there F: vanilla, coffey, chocolate, slightly salty, tare. Flavor is sweeter in higher temperature , bitter, a touch of butter scotch or heather honey


 MesandSim (6168), London, Greater London, England
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/104/515/20
Jan 25, 2010  
A Mes rate. Bottle at Toms as part of the full vertical for Burns Night.
Black brown with a tan film topping. Excellent. Fruity as hell, lovely chocolate and utterly fantastic minerals and seaweed. Smoky and chewy. Liquorice and charcoal with some good boozy notes in the finish. Not the best of the bunch but still really good.


 fiulijn (7690), Como; Lausanne (CH); Malmö (SWE), Italy
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/58/104/515/20
Jan 19, 2010  
Bottle from Chevy Chase, Washington DC; bottled Sept 2007, 2 years old
parallel tasting with Ola Dubh 40 years old

Black color; beige creamy head. Already from the bottle it’s possible to notice a whisky aroma; it has a very good, yet not strong, aroma of roasted malt, chocolate, a bit creamy, with hints of vanilla, wood and whisky; more intriguing than in the other version.
It has a lean body, but well structured; the chocolate flavor is in the front, with late caramel and wood; there is some residual sweetness, with light liquorice and light whisky.
The final is balanced, mellower than the flavor, with the liquorice and whisky more evident. The alcohol is only warming the mouth, not evident. After some time in the glass, it’s less biting and more plain than the 40 years. Yet interesting.


 madsberg (5291), Søborg, Denmark
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Jan 9, 2010  
Bottled. Almost pitch black coloured. Dense ligth brown head. Aroma of chocolate, light roast, spice, cocoa. Flavour of roast, sweetness, spice, liqourice, alcohol and chocolate. LIght smoke notable. Medium to full bodied. Roasty and light smoky end. Has some sweetness to it. Thx. Papsoe for providing this.


 rmasa (125), Vantaa, Finland
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/104/517/20
Jan 7, 2010  
Opaque, black beer with virtually no head. Aroma of liquorice, whiskey and oak with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla and dark fruits; low carbonation, medium body, oily slick mouthfeel; flavor of sweet malt and liquorice with whisky and salt in the finish.


 kromamc (117), Italy
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/103/58/103/515/20
Jan 5, 2010  
Bevuta spillata a pompa al ma che siete venuti a fà... al naso è un esplosione di whisky legno di botte caffè torrefatto tabacco da sigaro.....in bokka purtroppo mi ha un pò deluso per la carbonazione quasi inesistente ke la rende un po troppo pesante da bere... nel complesso però ho apprezzato la complessità è l’eleganza di questa birra ke tira fuori tante note diverse in maniera estremamente armonica...


 Marsiblursi (1670), Göteborg, Sweden
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/516/20
Dec 20, 2009  
(Bottle) Pours dark brown, black in the glass with a creamy brown head. The aroma is of round whisky, peat, wood, soft tannins, mild vanilla, light dirty oxidation, nuts, dark chocolate, salty soy, earth, wet tobacco, Madeira wine, liquorice, brown sugar and sweet dark fruits like figs, prunes and raisins. Clear notes of dry and dusty roast. The flavour is light to medium sweet, light bitter, light salty and tiny tart acidic. The nice round maltiness blends well with the whisky character. Notes of chocolate, brown sugar/caramel, dark fruits, oxidation, wood, mild smoke, liquorice, toffee, nuts, Madeira wine, roasted vegetables and broth. The mouthfeel is round with a nice umami-like touch. The carbonation is maybe a tad too lively. Lingering aftertaste of mild roast, Madeira wine and dried fruits. Medium (to medium full) bodied. This beer is more flavourful and interesting than super duper.


 andersand (435), Malmö, Sweden
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/103/517/20
Dec 18, 2009  
Black with some brown shining through, small head that leaves pretty nice lazing on the snifter. Aroma is rather heavy peaty whisky with notes of liqourice, smoke and tar. Flavour is intensely peated, salty and oaky with notes of vanilla, liqourice, ashtray and wet wood. Ends on a very peated salty note with alcohol warming the tummy. Mouthfeel is medium and very smooth. Nice heavy whisky character here.



We Want To Hear From You



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. Click here to create your account... and give your opinion!

Join Us »

View Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Share Your Opinion!
Get started reviewing beers at RateBeer.com now.

First, choose your user name

About RateBeer | Add A Beer | Log In | Edit Personal Info | 100 Beer Club | FAQ | Feedback?
Copyright © 2000-2010, RateBeer LLC