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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
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RatingsAverageScoreABVStyle PctlServe in
2903.94/5.03.92/5.08%98.5English 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?  
 Kinz (2202), Glen Allen, Virginia, USA
4.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/59/105/518/20
Nov 25, 2009  
Yum. Been wanting to try this one ever since I had the 12 and 16. Pours black, slight initial head fades quick. Brown at edges. Aroma is of rich, lush chocolate and a hint of whiskey, almost like bourbon even though I know it isn’t. Flavor has some up front whisky notes, a faint touch of oak, and then a fantastic chocolate finish with a hint of vanilla. Smooth as silk in the mouth, this was just great. Best of the lot so far.


 radagast83 (1289), Fairfax, Virginia, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/105/516/20
Nov 19, 2009  
Cask at Churchkey. Pours a rich, dark color with a tan head. Aroma of vanilla, malts. Flavor was smooth, refreshing (even at 8%) and richly enjoyable. I expected something a bit more harsh and was happily surprised with the beverage.


 thebeertourist (2777), Oslo, Norway
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/104/517/20
Nov 13, 2009  
Bottle from Kris Wines, London. Black with a big, light brown head. Complex caramel, roast and not least potent, salty Islay whisky notes. Chocolate, caramel, coconut, vanilla, moderate peat, amazingly dry towards the finish. Very subtle, very refined, not sharp at all, just perfectly rounded.


 Travlr (727), Washington, Washington DC, USA
4.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/510/105/518/20
Nov 13, 2009  
I was afraid of this beer at first, but my fear turned out to be unfounded. Appearance was jet black with giant tan bubbles that rapidly settled. Aroma reminded me of a single malt whisky. Taste had very light smoke, some wood, a bit of caramel, and a finish of Lagavulin. Amazing progression, with the whisky flavor only at the very end. Would like to lay a bottle or two down for a year and see what happens.


Finwe (62), Grankulla, Finland
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Nov 1, 2009  
330 ml bottle. Completely black with a tan head. Aroma includes elements from the whisky cask: peat and smoke. Dark, roasted malt, peat, smoke, vanilla, coffee, liquorice and tar in the flavour. Some bitterness in the aftertaste.


 austone (1039), Turku; Pori, Finland
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/103/514/20
Oct 21, 2009  
Bottle #3306. Black with small nicely tanned cocoa head. Nose is rye pudding, little butter, old licorice and hints of whiskey. Flavor has whiskey, molasses, some rye pudding, little ice cream and islay whiskey hotness. Dryish apteekin salmiak in the finish. Light and slightly empty palate, just like the rest of the series. A tad hot too. I can’t get too much out of these, just easy and tasty.


 DuffMan (2751), the land of bitumen, beef & beer, Alberta, Canada
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Oct 14, 2009  
Bottle, thanks again to my inlaws. Pours a near-black with a medium brown head that lingers. Very enticing aroma of burnt malt and whiskey barrel with some smokey tendrils reaching forward. Velvety smooth mouthfeel, richly flavourful without feeling heavy. Heaps of burnt malt with whiskey wood and peat character to match in perfect balance. Sweet and smokey in just the right amounts. I wish this weren’t so expensive, as I would stock up!


 GranvilleTim (477), Granville, Illinois, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/518/20
Oct 14, 2009  
Bottle 23022/Sept 2007. Dark black pour with thin brown head that disappeared quickly. Subtle notes of whisky and chocolate in the nose. Very smooth tasting- whisky, oak, chocolate malt. Leaves a pleasant roasted aftertaste. It left a nice lacing on the malt whisky tasting glass. Tasty, worth the price beer.



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