I got lucky here – long after Dave had taken this off at The Brick Store he handed me a couple of glasses and took me back into the cellar. There we picked up the “empty” cask and poured the last couple of pints from it by tipping it up and massaging the last drops of beer from the vessel into the glasses. I thought I had missed this opportunity, but not so. VERY grateful and appreciative. Thanks Dave.
Black pour with a few reddish highlights – not much. Head is not really a factor here, but some bubbly brown foam from the aggression of the pour.
Well, having tried the 16 last weekend and not liking it a great deal, I was worried about this. Again, frankly I didn’t care for this much either. Liquor notes and bitterness was too high for my liking, but once AGAIN (as in the 12), I found the smoke and peat notes to be too much, and this was a factor that I did NOT enjoy. I MUCH prefer the standard Engine Oil beers that have not been aged in the Whisky barrels.
Some others that tried it, raved about it. Having failed to be impressed by both the 16 and the 30, I guess that this is just not a beer for me. I wonder if I will ever get around to the 12, and if the experience will be any different?
Delighted to have tried it, but…eeeehhh…. completely undwhelmed. I happen to have the chance to drink the Meantime Scotch Ale the day after, and I thouhgt it was an INFINITELY better product in the similar style/mould.
I say, let Old Ales BE Old Ales, and keep the sweetness and avoid the Barrels.
Ola Dubh Special Reserve 30


04/19/2008
Brewery:
Harviestoun Brewery Ltd.
Harviestoun Brewery Ltd.
Style:
Old Ale
Old Ale
Format:
cask
cask
ABV: 8.0 %
Appearance: 4
Taste: 3
Mouthfeel: 3.5
Smell: 3.5
Overall: 3
Total: 3.2
Series Name:
Year:
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