First in series of Ola Dubh limited editions

The latest variant of Ola Dubh from the Scottish craft brewer Harviestoun has been aged in casks formerly used to mature Highland Park Vintage 1991. It is the inaugural release in a planned series of annual limited editions, each of which will be aged in casks from different vintages of single malt whisky.
 
Ola Dubh (or ‘black oil’) was launched in 2008 as a collaboration between Harviestoun Brewery and Highland Park and is based on Harviestoun’s award-winning beer called Old Engine Oil. With more than a stylistic nod to the classic imperial porters (and stouts) of the 19th century, the rich, dark Ola Dubh is claimed to be 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.
 
Only 20,000 bottles of the 1991 Vintage have been produced. Bottled at 10.5% ABV (the core range is at 8%), the ale was offered to the brewery’s distribution partners and sold out within 48 hours – some six weeks before the beer was bottled; 80% of the 1991 Vintage is destined for export markets.
 
Consistent with the core Ola Dubh range, the 1991 Vintage is deep dark brown, dense and oily; the nose is redolent of soy and molasses with winey overtones and a gentle, earthy, hop aroma. The 1991 Vintage is somewhat sweeter than its counterparts and has delicious smoky-sherry notes on the palate, the flavours deriving at least as much from the whisky-infused-wood as the spirit itself. As expected from its higher strength, this is a bigger and bolder number than its siblings.
 
Old Dubh 1991 Vintage will be available in selected UK accounts, including The Connaught Hotel, Foggs in Berkeley Square, The Carlton Tower Rib Room, Oblix (in the Shard) and Bar Boulud (Mandarin Oriental) as well as specialist retailers and the Harviestoun website. Old Dubh 1991 Vintage will be priced at approximately £7.00 for a 330ml bottle.
 
Chris Miller, MD, says: “Being a true craft brewery we simply can’t make enough beer to satisfy demand. Ola Dubh continues to excite enthusiasts the world over and I hope that our on-going expansion will make it possible for more people to enjoy our delicious brews.”

Harviestoun Brewery was established over 30 years ago and has been under independent ownership since 2008. Since then the company has increased the percentage of its turnover derived from international markets from 2% to 20% and now exports to 21 countries in key markets such as Scandinavia, North America and Brazil.
 

13 May 2013 - Felicity Murray