Harviestoun Ola Dubh 21 Years Old

TASTING NOTES

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. Aged in casks that previously held 21 year old Highland Park Whiskey, the beer produces a wooden, sweet flavour with bitter chocolate, smoked peat moss and a touch of vanilla.

BREWERY SNAPSHOT

It all started on a sunny day on October 5th, 1983. Founder, Ken Brooker’s hosted one of his legendary tasting sessions and he can’t remember much about it. In the years that follow, Ken continues to brew beers in his shed and host his friends. Word spreads and his friends begin to bring along their friends and their friends’ friends, until eventually Tuesday nights at Ken’s attracts up to 40 people!

DID YOU KNOW?

With demand for Harviestoun beers skyrocketing, Ken decides to invest a significant amount of money into the brewhouse. Although the W. Heath Robinson approach of ‘make do and mend’ is a mentality they have never fully abandoned, there comes a point when a jam vat, a dye vat and a thing they found in the cowshed are simply no longer appropriate vessels in which to brew! In 1989, the steading has a refit and some professional kit is installed.