Ola Dubh Special Reserve 18 - Harviestoun Brewery Ltd.

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

When I saw that they had this on cask at the old Tap & Table I was really impressed. I ordered one right away because I had enjoyed trying so many of the others. This is the first and only one that I haven't had from a bottle so far. The beer poured out jet black in color, no surprise there. The smell of the beer wasrich with smokey and roasted aromas as well as scotch as well. The taste of the beer was about the same as the 12 to me. The mouthfeel was a little too light I think, The cask aging didn't benefit this beer in my opinion at all. Overall it was worth trying but I would only ever buy the 30 and 40 year ones again.

Serving type: cask

01-01-2012 00:22:31 | More by Knapp85

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.35/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottled shared with my Girlfriend while comparing all of the Ola Dubhs. From notes.

A - One finger tan head on a black body with a film of retention and minor visible carbonation. No lacing remains.

S - Alcohol, ashiness, dark fruit, and a stronger whiskey element than the 16.

T - Alcohol, woodiness, less dark fruit than aroma and the 16. Tobacco and ash come out with smokiness which is quite intense. Coffee is there too.

M - Medium carbonation and full body. Really sweet/tobacco/ashy finish with some coffee.

O/D - More complex than the 16 but in a less pleasant way. Alot more alcohol is noticable and that ashy aspect holds it back. Otherwise it's alright but there are others in the series worth checking out before this IMO.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2011 14:00:05 | More by tbeckett

brystmar

New York

3.58/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle into a pint glass; from the Jan'09 batch. Pours jet black and viscous with about one finger of tan head that disappears quickly. No lacing.

Nose is dominated by oak barrel and whiskey notes, some chocolate behind the curtains too. The smell is certainly its best quality.

Loads of the typical barrel-aged flavors hit you first alongside smoked malts and hints of bourbon & chocolate. In my attempt to differentiate the barrel-aging qualities from the beer itself, I've concluded that the brew is about average while the flavors attained from aging are quite good. Very oak/barrel heavy overall, especially as the aftertaste brings forth its alcoholic warmth.

Medium-bodied and more oily than the Gulf (too soon?). It's about average in terms of drinkability for an 8%, but it's unlikely I would drink a second bottle in the same sitting. Barrel-aged brews in general tend to be un-sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2010 06:52:33 | More by brystmar

vandemonian

Maryland

3.6/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I had Ola Dubh 18 on tap at ChurchKey in DC. 4 oz pour in a 9 oz snifter. Ola Dubh 18 is all malt, wood and bitterness. No subtlety. I didn't particularly like it.

A: Black with big 15 mm head. Great looking beer! 4.5

S: Smells like smoke and whiskey. 4

T: Malty with bitterness and woodiness. Malt. Bitter. Wood. Not much else. I don't particularly like it. 3.5

M: A llittle flat. 3

O: 3.5

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2012 03:00:37 | More by vandemonian

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Not sure why, but I'm always suspicious about the product when I see such fancy packaging...

Appearance. Pours a dark brown, almost black with a very thin tan head.

Smell. Old peaty whiskey, sweet milk chocolate, molasses and roasty dark malts.

Taste. Smokey old wood and whiskey (not in a hot way), lightly sweet chocolate, some sour old coffee, roasty grains and molasses.

Mouthfeel. Medium-full body with medium carbonation.

Overall. Smells nice. Big smokey roasty flavours, but not especially enjoyable flavours in the base beer to compliment.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 03:15:52 | More by Rutager

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours pitch black and completely opaque without even the slightest bit of lighter color when held to a light source and a one finger beige head that slowly fades into a thin ring.

Silky chocolate aroma with a touch of smokey malt, vanilla, earthy oak, bourbon, toffee and lactic cream. There is a perfect amount of barrel presence in the nose providing earthy oak, subtle vanilla and coconut balancing out the roasted malt, burnt toast and coffee bean notes.

Slightly chewy medium body with a very prominent whiskey barrel presence that overtakes the roasted dark malt presence. Underneath there is a very faint viscous chocolate malt character with hints of espresso bean, toffee, oatmeal and burnt toast. The complex balance suggested in the nose is missing here with an overwhelming bourbon presence. Very hot and sweet overpowering the subtle vanilla, caramel and toffee notes. This beer improves as it warms but overall the bourbon is too strong, overpowering the other flavors.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2010 09:07:30 | More by corby112

mwilbur

Minnesota

3.63/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 330 mL bottle into snifter. Brewed Jan 2009. Bottle # 9938.
A: Pours a very dark brown with faint dark tan head that quickly recedes.
S: Dark dried fruit (e.g. raisin), whiskey, dark sweet caramel, and hint of alcohol.
T: Follows aroma fairly closely, but actually a tad weaker.
M: Medium body, but much lighter than you'd expect from the taste notes. Smooth and slightly oily feel. Not much alcohol burn (I'd expect more from 8%). Very flat with essentially no carbonation.
D: A decent drinking brew, but I'll be honest it was a bit of a disappointment. I was looking for something in the ballpark of Rye-on-Rye, but it ended up being its weakling little bro. Perhaps time has taken too much of a toll on this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 04:35:53 | More by mwilbur

emagana

California

3.65/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Impressive bottle that makes the beer look like you need to buy. Pours a tar black but thin. Brown lingering head. Scents of licorice and dark chocolate. Smoke smokey notes but not overpowering. Starts off thin on the tongue. Maybe because I'm use to the imperial stouts. That have lots of residual sugars. Smokey taste right off the bat and a lingering licorice. After taste. Alcohol not very high but I do get bourbon notes as well. It seems like there is something missing but I can't put my finger on it. Overall I would suggest trying another for it's price tag is not worth the taste. My opinion.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2010 20:41:34 | More by emagana

JaredWolgemuth

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

"I think my clothes are gonna smell"...that is the first comment made on the smokey flavor of this super dark beer. If you like campfire type smoke this one is for you. Solid taste the whole way through, the dark molasses look drinks easier than it looks.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2010 16:18:34 | More by JaredWolgemuth

ATPete

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

11.2oz bottle, ridiculous price tag.

Pours a very deep brown color with a small brown head. Booming whiskey notes right off the bat, burnt malt and wood, vanilla and whiffs of alcohol. The booze looms while tasting the brew as well, lots of prune/plum fruit, iodine, charred wood/ash. Complex but just a bit off, heavy medium in body, low carbonation and very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2009 01:28:19 | More by ATPete

ne0m00re

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

09/11/10- Had this one on-tap at Jackie O's barrel-aged release party.
A: Black, a few bubbles is all.
S: Malts, roasted and charred characteristics, nice mild wood and alcohol.
T: Very smokey, bacon finish, clean scotch and wood, roasted nuts.
M: Thin, not very carbonated.
D: Very good.

Tastes a lot like smooth scotch.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2010 17:56:26 | More by ne0m00re

Richardberg

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A - poured into a pint glass from a bottle labeled Jan '09. Dark fizzy head is small, no lacing or retention to speak of. Beautiful deep mahogany liquid, though, opaque save for ruby fringing.

S - oaky vanilla, toffee, smoky peat, milk chocolate, roasty malt, fig

T - fairly one-note flavor for such an interesting and complex beer (in both production & aroma). You've got the sweet chocolatey malt and the whiskey barrel, but that's about it.

M - surprisingly thin given the bottle description. At least it's got a decent oily character.

D - one advantage of the less-than-full body & flavor is that you could actually session this beer. Taken in that context the combo of smells and flavors is simply fantastic. However the rarity & price makes that more of a pipe dream...

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2010 06:54:47 | More by Richardberg

eat

Quebec (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Dark brown body with wisps of beige head. Fairly plain looking.

Complex nose: pumpernickle, dried cherries, demerarra sugar, slight scotch (though not too much). Quite bready.

Darkly flavoured: dark roasted malt, cocoa powder, earthy hops, grainy whiskey, a little smoke. Pretty nice but I'd like some more supporting malt. A little too boozy as well, could use some more age. The scotch element is nicely incorporated.

Could definitely be thicker bodied, especially given the name. Medium body with low carbonation. The feel is almost a little silky, which isn't too fitting here.

While this might be the best example of scotch-barrel aging I've tried, it's not approaching mind-blowing status. It's a good stout but at this price there are quite a few others I'd rather buy. From what I've heard, I'm just going to bite the bullet and shell out for the good stuff (30 and 40) next time I run into these.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 04:35:20 | More by eat

bobhits

Kentucky

3.79/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

Very clean and lacking strong aromas. Light oak and sugars vanilla and butter scotch elements. Very clean through the smell.

Carbonated but bubbles eventually are only around the brim of the glass and faded. Looks high abv though all bottles are 8%.

Very clean flavor much like the aroma and even look. This is much like you’d expect an 18 year scotch. Clean and smooth flavors, but unlike an 18 year old scotch this isn’t scotch. Beer looses flavor when it is simple and smooth. Ultimately this is lacking in character from the 12 year and greatly lacking in flavor.

The lack of carbonation here is really hurting this beer. It’s almost flat and it isn’t flavorful enough for this lack of carbonation.

A good beer but it needs more barrel or more sweetness. It lacks both.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 22:55:43 | More by bobhits

drabmuh

Maryland

3.8/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I have had the privileged to have both the 18 and the 40 year on cask recently, and I am here to tell you that they are completely different beers and I have no idea why the 18 is rated higher than the 40, it should not be.

Served on cask at Churchkey in D.C. Beer poured into a snifter. Black, dark black, no head or carbonation, not to be expected for this kind of beer in a cask.

Smell is a little off putting. It is complex, sweet malt, alcohol, chocolate / cocoa, some roast / wood on the end of the nose. The smell prepares you for a warm, musty beer.

Wood definitely present in the flavor. Sweetness and alcohol. Some back of the mouth roast leads to an unfortunate albeit slight aftertaste.

If you get an opportunity to try these beers they are worth it, the 40 is the best though.

Serving type: cask

11-03-2009 14:53:26 | More by drabmuh

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.85/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

330 mL bottle poured into a Hair of the Dog tulip. Bottled July 2011.

Appearance - Dark black with an ample khaki head in the neck of the tulip. Probably looks more impressive as a result of the glass. Sticks and laces nicely.

Smell - A vast improvement over the 12 and 16. This one has a touch of oak, but much more chocolate and a touch of sweetness. I don't know how the chocolate comes out more when it's the same base beer, but it seems to. Some smokey whiskey, but only a bit.

Taste - Also an improvement, but not as dramatic as the nose. Chocolatey of the milky variety. Bitter hops and some smokey notes. A vanilla character permeates without ever being strong. Oak in the finish, but a much higher quality. No ash to it. I still don't love the base beer, but the barrel seems to have made an improvement this time.

Mouthfeel - Bitter and creamy. Oaky, but better than 12 by a mile.

Overall - I thought that the ages of the barrels would be a gimmicky imperceptible difference. Maybe it is and Harviestoun is changing something besides the barrels. This one definitely seems to be a marked improvement over both the 12 and the 18. I have a 30 left and we'll see if that one is better than this.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 23:55:37 | More by Alieniloquium

hardy008

Minnesota

3.88/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours dark brown, close to black with a thin tan head which recedes slowly. Smells and tastes of chocolate, raisins, whiskey, oak, vanilla, and coffee.

Sweet with a little bitterness, and medium bodied. Also smooth, and easy to drink. Quite complex, with nice carbonation. The flavors and aromas all combine nicely to make a beer which is a pleasure to drink

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2010 03:38:14 | More by hardy008

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.9/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this on cask at the Brick Store Pub, as a gravity pour. I'm a big fan of this series of beers and of the brewery in general, but this particular one didn't resonate with me quite as much as some of the others. In fact, I found it to be a little much. Still good, mind you, but a bit over the top and not quite as smooth as the older ones, and perhaps a bit hotter than even the 12. Regardless, absolutely wonderful to see this at the Brick Store and lovely to taste this. Pours black with no head, but a slight ring around the glass. The whisky is extremely prominent in the nose, with a lot of alcohol heat, peat, ash, dark malt, and chocolate notes. The taste also exhibits huge whisky flavor with lots of heat and peat, some berry flavors, and caramel. The mouthfeel is smooth but hot. A little much overall, perhaps the beer itself will mellow a bit with time if there is some of this put away at the brewery. I much prefer the 30 or 40, or really even the 16.

Serving type: cask

05-03-2009 02:39:55 | More by Georgiabeer

jwc215

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle no. 10032 - bottled in January, 2009:

Pours very dark brown to black with a thin light brown head that becomes a thick ring.

The smell is of chocolate - some lightly roasted coffee - anisette, and whisky.

The taste is very sweet - whisky and vanilla coat the chocolate - with a subtle hint of peat smoke - slight anisette - some woody dryness comes through in an otherwise sweet finish.

Hits full-bodied with medium carbonation.

Whisky/oak prominent, here. A bit too sweet - could use more smoke or dryness, but it does have a nice whisky and malt character. Still, a bit pricey for what it is, IMO.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2009 02:08:28 | More by jwc215

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Review from notes taken 7/26/10.

Bottle share care of slk2go, thanks Jonathan. Bottle # 10686 with a date of 1/09. Poured into a snifter, this brew appears a serious level of dark brown to black in color. No light can shine through this except when swirled and even then the color still appears as a dark brown. A creamy tan head appears with a fingers strength and laces with spotty fingers about the glass. Fair retaining power.

The aroma of this brew is a mixture of dark chocolate meets coffee at first and then gets completely dominated by a roasty, smoked character very similar to pete smoke.

The taste is no surprise when taking the nose into consideration. Some minor notes of sweet milk chocolate meet a very roasted pete smoked malt. Light flavoring of coffee that is lightly musty and earthy.

This is a medium to light bodied brew with a matching moderate to light level of carbonation. Overall it is not bad but I was not expecting the pete'd aspect of this brew to be this dominating. I'm guessing there is significant inclusion of pete or smoked malts to the grain bill. If not, wow scotch barrels really have influence in a brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2010 18:05:07 | More by stakem

Zraly

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Jet black with a medium brown head. Strong scent of booze predominates the nose. Briefly, though, there is the scent of new leather shoes. A bit peaty and a bit smokey.

Boozy and earthy, this is a rich choice. The leathery note opens up a host of other notes that really work well together. Wonderful notes of tobacco, rum, burnt sugar and oak make for a nice composition. There is an interesting sour note that comes out and helps round out the mouthfeel a bit. I quite like this.

I did get a smaller server (4 oz in a snifter) and probably could of drank a touch more. However, much more than one and I might strain my palate a bit.

A great cigar ale.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2011 21:17:24 | More by Zraly

Nickls

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(From notes)

A - Similar in appearance to the other vintages of Ola Dubh in that it is damn near black. But it does have the wonderful tinges of brown. Poured with a thinnish, darker tan head

S - As anticipated, the whiskey and malt aromas shine the most, but there are some earthy aromas as well and a bit of smoke

T - Like the smell, the whiskey grabs your attention first, but then gives way to smokey and salty flavors.

M - Fairly thin, and not nearly as oily as other Ola Dubh vintages that I've tried. Little to no bubbliness (cask), but very pleasant

D - Not as drinkable as either the 40yr or 30yr IMO. The 18yr just didn't carry the nuances and complexities as well as the other two and therefore each sip was not as interesting as the last.

Overall, even though I much prefer the other vintanges, this was still a stellar brew. Recommended for fans of Ola Dubh.

Serving type: cask

01-29-2009 14:42:06 | More by Nickls

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had at Firkin Fest 2010

Pours no head. Color is very black, motor oil black.

Aroma: Huge whiskey/bourbon and oak flavors. Roasted malts and chocolate. Fairly rich.

Taste: Tons of whiskey and scotch flavors with some wood characteristics. Some roasted malts, but this thing doesn't taste a lot like beer.

Mouthfeel: Hot, dry, and smooth. Medium to full bodied with low carbonation. Ends sweet, boozy, and slightly dry.

Overall, a fairly solid beer. Lots of alcohol characteristics. Very interesting. Fairly drinkable.

Serving type: cask

04-02-2010 18:25:19 | More by mothman

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Middle of the pack enjoyment of the series. Must do a vertical one night. Pours black, wiskey smoke aromas. Milk chocolate taste, a little more bitter at the end of the bottle. Bit more than medium mouthfeel. Whiskey is right there.Good drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2010 03:58:36 | More by northyorksammy

ToasterChef

Maine

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from my notes. Served in my Uprising chalice at Novare Res.

A: Black & opaque. Light brown even foam. Spiderweb lacing.
S: Coffee bitterness and dark chocolate. Whiskey notes.
T: Good whiskey flavors--smoke and oak. Dark malts. A little bit of bitterness, a touch of fruit juice at the finish. The whiskey flavors are more mild than I expected.
M: Med/full body. Average carbonation; impressive for an aged ale. Lots of flavor in the coat, but it isn't too thick. Plenty of stickiness felt on my lips.
D: A sipper. This is a special beverage that deserves respect. Strength is a bit limiting, but it can still be enjoyed by the bottle (you don't have to split it, although it would be generous of you).

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2011 14:17:56 | More by ToasterChef