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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?  
 nick76 (2656), Tampa, Florida, USA
2.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/56/103/59/20
Oct 22, 2008  
The aroma is sweet and toasty with smokey scotch whisky dominating. I detect a hint of chocolate. The appearance is dark brown with a tan head. The flavor is like the aroma. The palate is smooth. I am surprised that a 30 year old beer tastes like it was made yesterday. I like the infusion but I am not very impressed with it.


 Papsoe (14892), Frederiksberg, Denmark
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/515/20
Oct 21, 2008  
(Bottle 33 cl) Pours a very dark brown - close to black - with a vague tint of red and a small off-white head. Fairly burned malty aroma with some wooden accents. Medium body, low in carbonation, some hard roasted malts and distinctly smoked whisky notes. Subdued bitterness. 120908


 EHopper (274), Minnesota, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/517/20
Oct 17, 2008  
This was such a special beer that it aches me that it is so expensive. Shared with my friend Tom and we are racking our brains to find something else close, something more available and reasonably priced. This had a lot of the great flavor, like drinking a great imperial stout, but in a lighter, more drinkable presentation. Burnt wood, coffee, chocolate and of course whiskey in the nose, on the tongue, and through the throat. I am on a mission to find something similar.


 MrChopin (632), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/57/104/516/20
Oct 16, 2008  
Thanks to lithy for the bottle!
Dark brown, creamy tannish-white head, more than the 16 yr. Not quite as oily looking. Nose still has the chocolate and vanilla, but the whisky barrel plays a larger role here than the 16: far more wood and alcohol are detected, less peat and more iodine. The flavor suffers the most, alcohol bludgeoning out so many of balanced whisky and base flavors. The palate is also a little rougher, not as rich yet smooth as the 16. So while it’s still very good, the 16 steps all over it.


 NJBeerman013 (771), Trenton, New Jersey, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Oct 12, 2008  
Bottle... Wow... I am starting to love old ales. This beer is midnight black with a deep brown head. The aroma is of chocolate and espresso. The flavor is much the same witth a woody, oak finish. Awesome stuff.


 ChristianScheffel (4481), Odense, Denmark
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/103/59/103/517/20
Oct 11, 2008  
Black with a small, but lasting off-white head. Aroma has chocolate, some oak and a little peat smoke. Rich and sweet flavour dominated by chocolate.


 Indulgence (141), Ajo, Arizona, USA
4.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/105/519/20
Oct 6, 2008  
No 22378, Sept 07. Yes, my favorite of the 3. This one comes off more balanced with the aromas, roast, oak, smoke, peat and chocolate... the 12 and 16 year are smoke, salt and peat bombs compared to this one. Highly enjoyable.


 uhre (339), Denmark
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/103/513/20
Oct 5, 2008  
Black with almost no head. Aroma of wood, dark fruit and smoke. Flavor is of wood, smoke and burned malt with some raisens too.



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