Single Malt
Scotland
Oak
The Committee Release of Ardbeg Alligator, so named for the barrels it was aged in; the American oak casks were given such an intense char, the resulting charcoal surface resembled alligator skin! This stuff is very special indeed - one of the best Ardbeg whiskies we've ever had the pleasure of trying.
This bottle was part of a private collection - if you'd like more detailed photos just get in touch!
Quite lemony against the obvious peat on the nose, and very, very sweet. It’s soooooo creamy and buttery; we get lemon curd, then peach, particularly peach skins, then a little bit of red currant and some latte coffee with just a sprinkling of ginger, black pepper and mace. On the back-end of the nose, there’s a decent hit of Barbecued goodness that put us in mind of a really, really good rack of ribs (can you guess where the inspiration for last week’s feast came from?).
Big creamy sweetness, the expected hit of vanilla comes later. We get peaches in syrup, maple syrup, and then onto citrus, with zest, pith and fruit. Blood oranges, and grapefruit late palate. This has a huge maltiness, with ginger, fivespice and Crêpes Suzette.
Confectioners’ sugar, lemon meringue pie and vanilla cream. Subtle smoke integrates very well.
Wowser. Not at all what we were expecting from a cask that’s received such aggressive treatment. This is by far and away the sweetest, most approachable and most drinkable Ardbeg we’ve had in years. At the same time though, the sweetness hides a BBQ-y, Chocolatey complexity the likes of which we’ve not experienced for quite a while.
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any information on which year is this Ardbeg stilled and bottled?
The smell was fantastic, but tasting it all I really got was an unpleasant, bitter charcoal. It became less overpoweringly bitter after about two months of the bottle being open, but remains the only truly disappointing Ardbeg I've ever had. The general release is more drinkable, though I'd still give it a miss and get some Uigeadail or Corryvreckan instead.
Creed is an awful band that did a pretty good job in their efforts to kill everything that is good about Rock and Roll. That is all. Long live Ardbeg & Master of Malt!
well said, it's yours to sell for what you think the market will bear. Quick question though, is this bottle part part of the original release, it's my understanding there has been a second release, is that why there's such a big price difference?
Da botle is glass. Da liquid is good. You thirst - you drink. Don't make much difference, but still. Guess I had 2 much.
