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.”
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by fargingbastige6 from Birmingham, AL, USA who has tried this beer once. (8/4/2008 11:29:47 AM)
"A striking aroma of whisky cask and hops make this an incredible sensory experience. Strong, but not bitter, flavor is released almost immediately. However, it did have a very weak head. Bottle No. 03494/Sept 2007."
Aroma:
10/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.8)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $6 Unit Cost: $8 per Pint
[2] Review by staleyiv from Newnan, GA, USA who has tried this beer once. (6/27/2008 3:50:06 AM)
"Bottle No. & Date:08115/Sept. 2007. Aroma is very strong and robust with leather and woodiness coming through with some molasses and some caramelized sugars with some chocolate mocha overtones with some very faint old, dusty nuiances that round things out. Appearance is pitch black and so thick there is no light penetration at all with a medium-sized, late arriving head that is thick and syrupy and a dark broan in color and coats the glass in sticky libation. Mouthfeel is very robust and strong and full-bodied with tons of complexity as well as bitter balance with a palate that is thick, syrupy and sticky with some chewiness. Flavor is complex with some port coming through as well as some strong burnt woodiness or oakiness with an aftertaste that is full with some molasses and creamed coffee and mocha with a finish that is a tad dry with some alcohol penetration and roasty malt with faint hoppiness and slight sweetness. Overall, such a fine ale here for sure and one of the more complex beers I have had in sometime and worth seeking out and paying the price tag; recommended!! "
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
10/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 330ml @ $6.99 Unit Cost: $10.02 per Pint
[3] Review by Phil B from Gatineau, Canada who has tried this beer once. (5/6/2008 2:09:20 PM)
"Bottle courtesy of goryshkewych: Poured a pitch-black color ale with a medium foamy brown head with good retention retention. Aroma of chocolate with roasted malt is easily identifiable. The roasted malt with some medium notes of chocolate and coffee also dominates taste. Nice creamy body with some good carbonation and no alcohol was discernable. I can’t say that I distinguished a lot of differences form the regular version and likely would stick to that one considering the difference in prices."
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.8)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[4] Review by Sap from Tucson, AZ, USA who has tried this beer once. (4/19/2008 12:47:48 AM)
"Bottle 04111, September 2007 Date; sampled April 2008
A vigorous pour produces a two-finger thick, frothy, fairly large bubbled, creamed cocoa-brown colored head. The beer is almost indistinguishable from black, but does show a touch of deep, dark, burnt-amber color if held up directly to the light. Wow, this smells like a rich, savory candy that is a mix of teriyaki, sesame, and concentrated toffee. Underneath this are substantial aromatic notes of prunes and dried figs that are joined by softer, but quite distinct notes of salty, smoky peat reek. Molasses aromatics play a huge role, just a confluence of the sweet, concentrated malt and the savor malt and peat character. This beer is dripping with umami aromatics; rich, savory, hearty & a concentrated, aged malt character that is just oozing drops of intense malt character.
Thick, but quite a bit lighter than might be suggested by the aroma; in fact it has a thinness that I was expecting before I cracked this beer and smelled the concentrate aroma. Flavors of lightly sweet, yet rich, molasses, Hoisin sauce, concentrated graham crackers, buttery toffee and burnt salt-water taffy; really this beer is not all that sweet, but just enough to keep the richness in check. The finish is dried out quite a bit by a lingering, slightly astringent, light bitter, burnt malt character that adds flavors of cold-pressed black coffee, . The whisky notes are fairly soft here, I think it is mostly a salty, smoky peat-derived character that shows up; it most definitely adds to the richness of this brew.
The flavor of this beer is quite a bit better and richer if you take a few minutes rest between sips, without doing this the beer somehow comes off as being a bit thin. The molasses like character of this brew is perhaps as big as I have ever tasted in a beer and this mixes quite well with a solid smokiness that is quite pleasing to my palate. An interesting beer; I definitely like the balance and character that the barrel aging has brought as it is not too overwhelming here.
Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ"
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
6/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.6)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 330ml @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
[5] Review by Vac from San Diego, California, USA who has tried this beer once. (3/17/2008 11:20:41 AM)
"Gift from Blair at Hamilton’s...Thanks man! Pours with a dark brown to black body topped by a medium thick, light brown head with a good amount of lacing left behind. It’s sweet and smokey with a nice woody background and a touch of chocolate. Full bodied and smooth with a touch of dryness."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.7)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
Do you want to see the rest of the reviews? Sign In or Register FREE! = BeerPals Only
Review this Beer:
You must be a member to write a review. Please sign up or log in.
(3.8)
