Review: Harviestoun Ola Dubh Special 30 Reserve

File this one under:

Beer!

After Eusebio came over and tried one of the Oaked Arrogant Bastard ales I have left over the other day, we decided to break this one out and give it a try.  It came in an 11.2 oz. bottle purchased from Marcello's, bottled Sept. 2007... hopefully these guys are intended to cellar for a few years!  The special thing about these guys is that they are an 'old ale' style but aged in 30-year Highland Park scotch casks.  Hell yeah!  

It poured dark dark dark color, much like a Guinness but without the huge bubbling, in fact there was not much of a head at all. Highland Park was the winner of the scotch tasting I went to about a month ago, so I'm excited for this one.

The beer smells of bitter chocolate and a faint hint of smoky scotch. It's not as strong as I'd like to see, but what is there is nice... I like the hint of scotch in there, good blend of flavors in my opinion.

The taste is more of the same, but more layered, the first bit is rich and chocolatey, but the aftertaste is strong smoky scotch. Well balanced overall and I love the way the scotch flavor sticks with you at the end.  Again, I wish the smoke flavor was a bit stronger, but that might throw some people off. 

Feels great on the mouth, good carbonation and smooth. I could definitely drink a few of these in one sitting. Easily.

Taste: A-

Value: B ($11.99 for a small bottle is a bit high...)

Three random thoughts: Go Saints!  I'd love to see 10-0 after they beat up on the Bucs today.  I'd rather not talk about the LSU game last night... ugh... horrible coaching.  And I'm looking forward to meeting the guys over at Parish Brewing later this week to see what their beer is all about and see how we can help them out in the BR area.