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steveh
03-22-2004, 06:55 AM
Harviestoun Brewery Ltd., Dolllar, Clackmannansh, Scotland

Aged for 6 months in malt whisky casks, 6.0% ABV, 11.2 oz bottle.

Poured a dark, opaque black with a brown head of dancing bubbles (literally - a few bubbles skipped across the top of the head like water striders). The head quickly thinned to fine, bubbly film.

A flashlight shown through the glass revealed a faint ruby color.

Whisky notes can be detected at half an arm's length while pouring. Muddy, malt chocolate with alcohol and whisky notes back.

Malty, molasses flavors with roast malt and chocolate notes. Dry, whisky-like alcohol back. Dark fruit esters in aftertaste; tart cherry to raspberry. Very merlot or zinfandel in a fruit-tannin character.

Medium to heavy, syrupy body.

Quite an interesting beer with complex flavor character. I'd take more than one glass in a sitting, but they'd probably be my only two beers for that session.

S.

chazwicke
03-23-2004, 04:55 PM
I enjoyed one of these awhile back and I have one more in my fridge. Did you happen to have this on a hand pull before? I thought maybe it might show up at the Real Ale fest.

MeridianFC
03-23-2004, 04:56 PM
I've only had the regular OEO, which I quite like. Almost everyone I know who has encountered the OEO Special Whisky Barrel addition has not cared for it. They've all had it cask and fresh but they've thought it too cloying and overwhelmed by the liquor. It could be the particular tastes of the folks involved, though none of 'em were unfamiliar with cask, though maybe not overly familiar with the aging process.

steveh
03-23-2004, 05:19 PM
Originally posted by chazwicke
I enjoyed one of these awhile back and I have one more in my fridge. Did you happen to have this on a hand pull before? I thought maybe it might show up at the Real Ale fest.

I did sample the regular OEO at the RAF (of which I have some notes and plan to post as an adendum to this thread), but the Special Reserve wasn't available.

As a preview to the cask OEO, it was scary to look at, but very tasty!

S.

BluesHarp
04-02-2004, 11:26 PM
I just picked up a bottle of the Special Reserve today..I'll give my impressions after I return from New Orleans.

chazwicke
04-03-2004, 12:23 PM
I just picked up four more bottles as well. Good Stuff!