It took me until I was about 35 years old to become a fan of Scotch. It always tasted like mud water to me as a young man. But then one day I became fascinated with peat-smoked Scotch. I read a lot about they Islay styles, but was never adventurous enough to try it. Then again, I’ve always been willing to expand my palate, so that’s what I did. I bought a bottle of the most intense Scotch out there: Laphroaig. I’m not even going to lie; it was one of the most offensive things I ever tasted in my life. But I was bound and determined to make myself like it – because hell…I’d just bought a whole bottle. Needless to say I love it today and am happy to see that they are using some of the same types of barrels to make the beers I love just as much. Harviestoun’s Ola Dubh 16 is one of those beers. It was on last years Top 25 Beers of the Year in Draft Magazine. Of course I greatly value their opinion so I quickly set out to get a bottle. Having sat on this one for nearly ten months, I have to say it was well worth the wait. This lovely beer is only subtly perfumed by the Highland Park barrels for which it was housed. Though the claim is that this beer is an “old ale,” I have to admit that it fooled me into thinking it was a stout. It’s dark and inky with a lot of the same characteristics of a stout. But really at the end of the day, this is just a great beer to share with a friend in a couple snifters. It’ll make you feel like you should be sitting in your grandpa’s old winged-back chair reading poetry and smoking a cigar.
For a larger HD experience click here.
This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man
Brewery: Harviestoun
Beer: Ola Dubh (Special Reserve 16)
Style: Old Ale (Barrel-aged)
Location: Alva, Scotland
ABV: 8%
Rating: 94/100
Posted by theReaper16 on January 31, 2010 at 10:37 PM
How have I not had this beer? I quite enjoy Harviestoun’s Old Engine Oil.
Posted by thehopry on January 31, 2010 at 11:11 PM
You can’t drink everything…I’ve tried…and failed…
Posted by Big Mike on February 1, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Great review Mark. I really enjoyed your information on Scotch.
Posted by thehopry on February 2, 2010 at 9:43 AM
Thank you sir. It’s been a while since I drank Scotch (trying to get the site going), but I definitely love a nice one with a small splash of water now and then.
Posted by Jason on February 2, 2010 at 10:04 AM
I did not have the 16, but I was able to try the 12, 18, 30 and 40. I felt the 12 and 18 were similar, with the 18 having a little more sweetness to it, but the chocolate and peat being very prevalent in both. The 30 and 40 were great as well (only had a small sample of both, they seemed much smoother than the 12 or 18). I feel fortunate, as my beer bar had all of them in casks that really made the experience worthwhile.