Single Malt
Scotland
18 Jun 1998
18 Aug 2016
1776
A very exciting bottling from La Maison du Whisky's 60th Anniversary celebrations - 18 year old Ardbeg single malt, aged in a first-fill bourbon barrel from June 1998 to August 2016. This was bottled by Signatory (in those wonderful Straight From The Cask bottles that you always see Edradour presented in!) with an outturn of just 280 cask strength bottles.
Fine, subtle. Absolutely captivating, the initial nose offers assertive peat, while at the same time bursting with fresh fruit, citrus and salt. Without losing an ounce of its fruity character, it gradually becomes more herbaceous and medicinal (camphor, iodine tincture). Upon aeration, root ginger, damp earth and strong spices (cloves) bring superb refinement to the aromatic palette.
Firm, powerful. The attack crashes against cliffs that stand over a raging sea. Nearby fields of peat are drenched in sea spray. The mid-palate is earthy and saline. Then notes of curry and cardamom lead a shift to a more oriental register, with rose petals and Turkish delight. An oasis of freshness, the back palate is absolutely sublime.
Long, voluptuous. The peat maintains its presence, with a coating of vanilla and chocolate. The gentle tannic bitterness of the malted barley gradually tightens the taste buds and strengthens the peat’s dominant role in the finish. The retro-nasal olfaction is identical to the finish, while the empty glass is herbaceous (artichoke hearts), powdery (rice, ginger) and resinous (pine).
