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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?  
 kmeves (1080), Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, USA
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/57/104/515/20
May 17, 2008  
Pours deep blackwith a small quickly disappearing tan head. Aroma is moderately sweet, vanilla, chocolate, molasses, whisky/peat, plum and raisin. Flavor is sweet roasty malt, molasses, chocolate, vanilla and whisky. Medium bodied, somewhat thin texture. Finishes short and cocao bittery.


Peregrinari (54), Washington, Washington DC, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/104/516/20
May 15, 2008  
Bottle number 02982 (Thanks Argo0!) Vertical of 12 – 16 – 30 years. Aroma on the 30 is milder than both the 12 and 16 with notes of molasses, vanilla, whiskey (didn’t really get this one on the 12 or 16), mild coffee and funny enough the dried fruit is non-existent. The flavors are mostly as before though as with the 12 and 16 some flavors have gone or faded and others have become stronger. The molasses is now writ large and vanilla has come to the forefront to almost dominate. The dried fruitiness is now completely gone replaced with coffee and chocolate flavors. The finish is drying and less sweet than either the 12 or the 16. Overall this is a fantastic series of beers and I would encourage others to try a vertical as it can be quite enlightening as to the similarities and differences. Excellent beers overall.


 argo0 (6890), Washington DC, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/515/20
May 15, 2008  
(33cl bottle, #02982, Sept07, vertical with the 12 & 16) Black body with small, quickly dissipating tan head. Aroma is moderately sweet, vanilla, chocolate, molasses, some whisky/peat, plum/raisin, roast,. Taste is moderately sweet, roasty molasses, some chocolate, vanilla, light whisky/peat. Smooth medium body, seemingly lighter than the 12 or 16, almost watery by comparison -- dangerously drinkable. Scotch is complementary rather than overpowering.


 Walt (2289), Chicago, Illinois, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/103/516/20
May 15, 2008  
Drank as a vertical of 12, 16, and 30: Pour is opaque black with a thin sticky tan head...smell is roasty chocolate and vanilla with hints of smoke....strongly sweet and roasty flavor with lots of vanilla...not smoke put a vegetal peaty flavor towards the finish....


 Cobra (1061), In a van, down by the river, Maryland, USA
4.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/105/510/105/519/20
May 15, 2008  
My 1000th rating. 11.2 oz. brown bottle, comes in a special black box, with a metal seal around the neck. Bottle number 09563. Bottled Sept. 2007. Poured out an inky black color, with a 1/2" thick mocha colored head. Aromas are of whiskey barrel, Highland Scotch, vanilla, roasted espresso beans. Flavors are of Highland Scotch, oak barrel, roasted coffee beans, vanilla, burnt sugars, earthy hops. Thick mouthfeel, rich and chewy. Flavors linger on your tongue for a good long while after drinking it. Damn good beer by any standard. Good pick for my 1000th rating too.


 puzzl (2619), New York, New York, USA
3.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/56/103/514/20
May 15, 2008  
Cask at Spuyten Duyvil. Snifter. Lightly smoaky, chocolate, cocoa, scotch aroma. Almost no barrel. Palate and flavor are thin. More whiskey here, but still not great. Little complexity. I wont be buying the other two.


 HogTownHarry (3993), Toronto (Harbourfront), Ontario, Canada
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/516/20
May 13, 2008  
Bottle (330ml). Shared by blankboy with me, garthicus and tupalev. Murky opaque ruby-black with a small frothy tan head. Aroma and taste - old ale burnt malt backing, really boozy, but this is mostly just senior citizen Islay (okay, orkney) scotch - peat, seaweed, iodine, hessian .... light, long finishing, slightly salty. Not much to say, just nicely done and well-balanced. I liked it. Thank you, Paul!


 garthicus (1274), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
May 13, 2008  
Blankboys bottle, thanks so much for sharing! Shared with Harry, Jeff and Paul. Bottle number: 03289. Appearance: Deep dark ruby brown, almost black, very small head. Aroma: Spice-whiskey, tanned leather. Burns the nose, lovely. Flavour: Smokey, burnt malt, alcohol, spice, Earthy and peaty. Very enjoyable. Thanks for sharing this gem Paul.



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