Harviestoun Ola Dubh (12 Year Old)

This is one of a set of three beers that came out in a collaboration of Harviestoun Brewery and Highland Park distillery. Each of the beers is aged in a different cask of Highland Park single malt, 12 year old, 16 year old and 30 year old respectively. I decided to start with the first one and my thoughts on it are below. The bottle ran me $7.99. As a side note, Ola Dubh translates into "Black Oil".



Bottle 07805. Pours into my glass a dark black hue with some brown edges and a half inch of tan head that falls to bubbles atop the brew. Aromas start out with roasted, slightly burnt dark malts and a nice sturdy chocolate aroma. Interwoven there are wood, smoke, peat and whiskey notes that flow in and out. A very unique and enjoyable aroma.

First sip brings a roasted, smokey dark malt upfront that leads way to chocolate and coffee accents. A salty twang moves in as wood and earthy peat intermingle across the palate. The smokey single malt hits fairly strong on the finish along with a sort of oily mouthfeel. Nice bitterness and a touch of vinous fruit in the aftertaste. Complex, tasty brew.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a subtle creaminess and mellow carbonation. I thought this would be heavier, but I am happily surprised as the body makes it more drinkable. Overall, this is the first of the three I have tried, still having to sample the 16 and 30, however so far I am glad I purchased this one. The single malt really adds a new element to this enjoyable, sipping brew. Worth seeking out in my opinion.

Overall I give this beer a rating of Amazing. Worth seeking out!

Check out more from Harviestoun Brewery by surfing over to http://www.harviestoun.com/