Single Malt
Scotland
1 Jan 1998
1 Jan 2009
Yes
Yes
An extraordinary whisky from Ardbeg. This is one of those ultra-rare expressions, which really come around once in a blue moon. This was distilled on the 14th September 1998, before it was filled into refill sherry hogshead number 2763, where it rested for 11 years before bottling on the 5th November 2009. A release of 270 numbered bottles, signed by the distillery manager, Mickey Heads.
Intense and very rich with notes of golden syrup, gingernut biscuits and tar. Hints of cigar smoke, sultanas, rum and raisin icecream and cherry liqueur chocolates develop, with more than a suggestion of hot wood embers.
Thick and oily with notes of fresh espresso, hot milk, aniseed and winter spices. Some cloves, nutmeg, and a touch of vanilla, leather armchairs and old books. A little icing sugar, and a big whack of fiery peatsmoke.
Beautiful finish with stewed fruits, plum jam, winter spices and orange zest.
A most wonderful Ardbeg. Offers little of the classic lime juice flavour, instead it gives up an extraordinary array of winter spices and smoke.
