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Ola Dubh 18 Year Old

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For this version of Ola Dubh the high-gravity base stout matures for up to six months in casks that previously held Highland Park 18 Year Old, a single malt whisky from Orkney. The brewery describes a first hit of whisky on the nose that gives way to chocolate, fruity coffee grounds and a hint of woodland berries. The flavour blends sweet malt, vanilla, oak and tobacco, with undertones of raisins and other dark dried fruit that point to sherry-seasoned wood. Compared with the 12 Year Old it shows more fruit and less smoke.

ABV
8%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark40
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
chocolatedark fruitoak
chocolate
dark fruit
oak
vanilla
coffee
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with prominent whisky notes from the Highland Park cask maturation, followed by layers of dark chocolate and roasted coffee grounds.
also:berry,smoky,roasted
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Ola Dubh 18 Year Old

◎ Appearance

Deep black-brown hue with a dense, persistent head that clings to the glass with fine lacing. The beer presents as opaque and full-bodied in appearance, with excellent foam retention characteristic of high-gravity stouts aged in oak.

deep black-brownpersistent headopaquedense foam

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with prominent whisky notes from the Highland Park cask maturation, followed by layers of dark chocolate and roasted coffee grounds. Subtle floral and berry undertones emerge beneath, with hints of woodland spice and oak that speak to extended cask contact.

whisky-forwarddark chocolateroasted coffeeoak spice

◐ Taste

The palate balances sweetness from rich malt with vanilla and tobacco notes derived from cask contact. Mid-palate reveals dried fruit complexity—raisins and fig notes—alongside dry oak tannins and a measured bitterness that extends without dominating. The mouthfeel is full and warming, with alcohol well-integrated.

sweet maltvanilla oakdried fruittobaccomeasured bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is lengthy and warming, with lingering tobacco, dried fruit, and subtle sherry-cask character. Bitterness recedes gracefully, leaving a dry, warming aftertaste.

long finishwarmingdry aftertaste
87
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
88
Appearance
85
Finish
85
Serve at 13–16°C

Slightly warmer than you might expect. 10–13°C lets the roasted malt, chocolate and coffee notes open up fully.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Can be cellared 2–5 years. Develops dark fruit, leather and port-like complexity with age.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Ola Dubh 18 Year Old

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About Imperial Stout

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Imperial Stout?

Stouts are dark ales with roasted barley character, 4–8% ABV and IBU 25–45. Expect coffee, dark chocolate and toast flavors with a creamy body and dry finish.

Finding a similar Imperial Stout

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same chocolate, dark fruit, oak character as Ola Dubh 18 Year Old will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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