Released in late 2017, Ardbeg Twenty Something is 23 year old single malt from the revered Islay distillery, matured in ex-Bourbon and ex-Oloroso Sherry casks. The name might suggest that this release is somewhat shy or flippant about its age, but the flavour profile shows off the whisky's maturity brilliantly.
This bottle was part of a private collection - if you'd like more detailed photos just get in touch!
Initial bursts of vanilla cream, sweet wood smoke and antique furniture mingle with sweet bubble gum, roasted pinecones and chocolate. On the second nose, fresh tropical fruits are infused with deeper chocolate and sherry led notes. A splash of water releases robust flavours of smoke, creosote and coal tar, followed by medicinal notes and ripe mangos.
At first, rich chocolate flavours combine with a silky mouthfeel. The second sip begins with more chocolate, then something deeper – vanilla pods and intense dried fruits glide into pine needles and pine smoke. Then finally, more chocolate, this time rich chocolate covered raisins.
Herbal notes and incense create a long, lingering finish, rounded off with a hint of spice.
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Pulled the stopper in order to share a Christmas drink with my brother. We weren’t disappointed. Picked up two more bottles for posterity’s sake.
A masterpiece of a whisky from Ardbeg. The core taste of Ardbeg is evident but there’s a sublime elegance and subtle flavours that’s more vertical than horizontal. Very special. Pine & dark cocoa. Sweetness. Tar for sure. They all embrace the Ardbeg smokiness. A sublime whisky. Elegant. Complex. Superb. This is not for the crowd who prefer Uigeadail over water and argue that way. A true connoisseur’s delight.
not the typical ardbeg, but pretty much as good as it gets! Smooth but full of flavour and spice. just tried a sample but i hope to get a full bottle soon. if you can get a sample it's definitely worth a try, you wont regret it!
Keeping it short - the Ardbeg Twenty Something is truly a gem! It’s not the most spectacular or “innovative” whiskey out there but the more you have, the more obvious its great qualities gets. It’s wonderfully round, with just the right amount of smoke, chocolate, pine and sweetness. A new classic in my opinion - at the moment I’m kind of sad I couldn’t buy two of them...
I got to say, despite the hefty price tag - this is probably among the top 3 drams I’ve had in my life! So refined, deliciously smoky and full of subtle notes of chocolate, vanilla, toffe and herbs. I absolutely love it!
