Harviestoun Ola Dubh 12 Year Old

Country: Scotland

Brewery: Harviestoun

Style: Old Ale

Format: 330ml Bottle

ABV: 8%

Ola Dubh (or 'Black Oil') is a collaboration between Harviestoun Brewery and Highland Park Distillery. 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% ABV beer is the first ale to be aged in malt whisky casks from a named distillery and, with traceable casks and numbered bottles, the first with genuine provenance.

Ola Dubh 12 pours black with a modest spattered head that reduces slowly, leaving behind textbook lacing. The aroma is delicious; smoky Worcestershire sauce, leather, iodine and grilled steak. Flavours of smoky-sweet malts, roasted peat, coffee beans and a well-bittered finish. Overall this is a rather exotic brew with a defined barrel influence. It's refined rather than over the top and very delicious indeed.”

Rated 99 out of 100 on Ratebeer.com