It turned out I was right and five long days later I finally got the chance to partake. A few weeks ago I had the 12 year and enjoyed it immensely. The thirty year, with pricier barrels and a higher price tag itself, was bound to be even better. Pouring an unbelievable black, I was shocked at just how dark it really was and how it went directly from black to tan, on the head, with no blending or gradient of any kind. It was like the two colors had a disagreement and only circumstance had forced them together in m glass. The head settled from its initial two fingers to a layer of light brown, graced with a scattering of bubbles.

The nose. Wow. From the instant the liquid touched the air the scent of whiskey erupted into my nose. It was smooth, powerful and sweet, much as I was in my younger years. There were hints of an earthiness, but ever so slight and an equally elegant layer of musty wood chips (ironic and odd as it seems).

My first sip was shocking. That tip toeing wood chip and earthy tones kicked into overdrive. They were so forward initially, I had to ready myself to take another sip and see what other flavors were present. A definite brown sugar like sweetness was a nice introduction, once I had realized what would follow. There was a whisper of soy and then back to wood and whiskey. The finish was a beautiful warming, a perfect accompaniment to yet another rainy April evening in Chicago. If you like whiskey, or earthy, solid beers, this one is definitely a must try. It is well-crafted, big and bold without being obnoxious. The mouthfeel is smooth as can be, but balanced with carbonation enough to not be oppressive. An overall well balanced, thoughtful and artistic beer.

I decided to drink this Cask-aged Old Ale because I wanted other people to know about it, and I wanted to experience it for myself. Call it professional curiosity…

Ola Dubh Special Reserve 40 came in a really cool brown box á la most special barrel-aged beers. Except this one comes not in a bomber but a 12 oz. bottle. I wish that wasn’t the case, but … Highland Park 40 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky casks are a little scarce these days. At $20/bottle, it’s no secret that this beer is a rarity that will only be around a short while.

I poured my bottle of Ola Dubh 40 into a tulip glass. Just like Old Engine Oil, it came out smooth and viscous, as if I was emptying the oil pan of my car. It was soft, warm, and uniform, and produced a little bit of head that developed right at the end of the pour. I could immediately smell the whisky and oak. It was sweet, dark, smoky, oily … mysterious. It was hard for me to believe the beer is only 8.0% ABV … it just seems so much bigger than that.

After my first sip I was convinced. This is an excellent, excellent beer with a great pedigree. The taste was rich with earthy cocoa notes, but also bitter. There are sweet and salty elements to the taste, which make it unique and hard to compare. Mouthfeel was good, with enough carbonation to bring out all the flavors. I let the glass sit and come up in temperature … and as it warmed, Ola Dubh 40 changed dramatically. The smoky nose and finish slipped away and left most of the sweet. When warm, the finish still had a slight hop twinge that kept it borderline balanced.

And let’s not forget the whisky. All the way through this ale is the wonderful smoky/sweet character of aged single malt Scotch. It mixes with slight oak flavors and gives the beer a regal air. It makes you feel and act like you’re sipping expensive whisky. You take your time, savor each small sip, letting it coat your palate, chewing all the way through it. I am dying to try Highland Park’s 40 Year Old.

All in all, I wish I could have this beer on hand. I might even go get another bottle to cellar for a while. $20 is a lot for a single 12-ounce bottle of beer, but I am in no way regretting my purchase. I’d really love to hear what others thought about this one.

Check out the Highland Park 40 Year Old tasting video to learn a little more about the Scotch this beer gets flavors from.

I’ve had Porters and Stouts aged in re-used Bourbon barrels before. Part of the draw to this beer was that it aged in Scotch whiskey barrels (something I had not experienced before). Ola Dubh means “black oil” and boy does that ring true. As I emptied the bottle it ran out thick, heavy, and black. The appearance is comforting and inviting with a garnet hue on the edges and a dense mocha head coating the glass as you sip.

One of the reasons I love oak aged beers is because the aromas and tastes are multifaceted. My nose picked up a variety of smells such as chocolate, deep roasted grains, smooth oaky notes, plums, pears, fruity alcohol warmth, some earthy/grass highlight (probably from the peat), minor hints of coffee, and some hops.

It is hard to separate the taste from the mouthfeel, because I feel the two co-exist. At first, you are hit with a sweet, high viscosity, liquid that awakens your palate. You get a great sense of the whiskey notes as they provide and support this dark brew. The middle part of the sip is light and floral, while the latter half is filled with deep creamy roasted malts. Although it was thick, my palate was relatively clean and left with a well-balanced array of dark fruits and malts. The 8% ABV was noticeable, but I finished this beer in 15 minutes due to its smoothness. Its bittersweet chocolate quality complement serving it with dessert or as an after dinner drink.

I approached this beer with high expectation and was not disappointed.

ABV: 8.0%

Grade: A-