Learn Beer » Reviews » Beer Talk

Beer Talk

Ola Dubh 16 Year-Old

Published January 2008, Volume 28, Number 6

Harviestoun Brewery
Alva, Scotland
Imported by: B. United Inc.
Redding, CT

Available: MA,CT,RI, ME, NJ, NY, MD, DC, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, IL, MI, WI, IN, OH, CO, MO, AZ, WA, OR, CA, IA, ID, LA, PA

Based on Harviestoun’s Old Engine Oil, Ola Dubh (“Black Oil”) is a collaboration between Harviestoun Brewery and whisky distiller Highland Park. It is aged in malt whisky casks from a named distillery and, with traceable casks and numbered bottles. Ola Dubh will initially be available in three different expressions, aged in casks formerly used to mature Highland Park 12 Year-Old, 16 Year-Old and 30 Year-Old.

ABV: 8
ABW: 6.4
Color: black
Bitterness: 40
Original gravity: 1084
Final gravity: n/a
Malts used: pale malt, roasted malt, malted oats
Hops used: Galena (WA), Worchester Fuggles, East Kent Goldings

  • Charlie Papazian

    Magically black ale with a dancing froth. Astonishingly smooth roasted malt aroma with a hint of aged sherry. The flavor is as one with the spirit and the creator of life. Holy Moly! This is one of the best-balanced and smoothest strong black ales I’ve ever had. Roasted malts and oats along with classic UK hops. Not excessively sweet. It may be an ordeal to get your mitts on this brew, but well worth it. A beer of existential proportions. I wouldn’t think for a moment of having this beer with food. This one deserves its own pedestal.

  • Jeff Evans

    Great beers are all about balance, and that’s brilliantly illustrated in this Scottish “Black Oil” aged in casks that previously held whisky for 16 years. It would be easy for the peaty, spirit notes to barge aside all other flavors but, with the slickness of oat malt and the beef of roasted barley in the grist, this is a beer with the body and depth to hold its own. So what do we get? Peaty, smoky whisky notes, for sure, up front, but with dark chocolate, caramel and vanilla, too. Enjoy it with some walnuts and a Bavarian smoked cheese.

Add Your Comments