This 16 year old was matured in ex-bourbon casks. The rather ominous 'Airigh Nam Beist' derives from the Scotch Gaelic for 'Shelter of the Beast'. Ardbeg describe this as "Ardbeg Ice Cream" - we couldn't agree more.
This bottle was part of a private collection - if you'd like more detailed photos just get in touch!
Weighty and pungent. Big, dark peat notes and creosote. Almost like a burning tire, extinguished with powerful sea spray.
Full, but, surprisingly, unlike the nose. Full of cereal notes and dry wood with a leafy green quality. Sweet, dark almonds and walnuts and a thick cream, all stitched together with heavy smoke.
Powerful smoke creeps back in, creamy.
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To the guy below: buy a second bottle and drink it! Firstly you'll know what you'd be looking forward to in your last days. Secondly you'd have the perfect benchmark to compare other whiskies to. My all-time favorite whisky still remains the Laphroaig 18. But the Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist (2008) is just soooo special. Bourbon matured Islay whiskies become magical from 15 years on. And at 18 they reach their zenith. Absolutely superb. The current aftermarket prices still reflect its true value. Buy when you can!
Just ordered a bottle to keep until my last days on earth. I was born in 1991, but made in 1990, so this bottle will have the same life that I will. It will be a bottle for my family to enjoy if I die unexpectedly! Release the beast! (I know, weird, but I love the idea :)
I was lucky to get a hold of two Airigh Nam Beist a couple of years ago. It is truly a perfect whisky with a round smooth smell and body but also with great power. I would not drink this with any drop of water since it is so matured. I saved 1 bottle for lather and my perfect wife got hold of 3 more bottles to my collection for my last birthday. Whey will be enjoyed at special moments. If you can´t get hold of this wonderful whisky bye Corryvreckan instead it´s more sharp around all edges and not nearly mature compared to Airigh Nam Beist but the best replacement still.
I've got a lot of Whiskies, and work for an opposition company to Ardbeg aka Moet & Hennessy, however I find it very hard to go past this Whisky as being one of my absolute favourites. I have 2 btls just sitting and waiting. I don't plan to sell, but to drink at a time when they're the only left in the world... with a devious and thankful grin!
Got a bottle about half ayear ago and saved it because of its rarity but got my hands on another the other day so getting stuck into this bottle and oh my god what a dram it is.smoother than the 10 and amazing.will make sure i work my way through this one very slowly.
