Harviestoun Old Engine Oil Black Ale

Brewery: Harviestoun Brewery
Location: Alva, Scotland
Style: Porter
Brewery Website
Rating: A

Today's tasting is Old Engine Oil from Harviestoun Brewery in Scotland. This porter pours up an opaque black color with a brown head the color of hot cocoa. The nose finds roasted and toasted malt notes, cocoa and a hint of herbal hops.

While there are no smoked malts used in this beer, my palate is first left with the impression of a fine Islay scotch, finding peat malt, iodine and bacon notes. The dark roasted malt flavor has a big cocoa note. There are herbal and spicy hop notes with a moderate kick, but not enough to overtake the malt. There is also a hint of juiciness that zips by. Old Engine Oil has a medium-heavy body, but is still quaffable for a porter. The finish finds more roasted malt notes with a hint of hops, along with some Scotch notes in the background.

The Harviestoun Old Engine Oil is a very drinkable porter with some complex roasted malt flavors. My palate finds some notes that remind me of an Islay scotch. Plus there are some great roasted chocolate notes here as well. All of this is well-balanced by some nice herbal hops. This is one of the best British porters out there and is well worth seeking out.