An Oa is named after the Mull of Oa in the south west of Islay, which offers the Kildaton coast (where Ardbeg distillery is situated) some protection from the worst the Atlantic has to offer! As such, Ardbeg An Oa is intended to show a more approachable side to Ardbeg single malt that's as rounded as the Oa peninsula, without losing the characteristic distillery style. In the summer of 2017 this became the first addition to Ardbeg's core range in over a decade.
Maturation took place in a combination of casks including Pedro Ximénez, charred virgin oak and ex-bourbon, which were all brought together to marry in Dr. Bill Lumsden's new 'Gathering Vat'!
This sweet, creamy Ardbeg offers notes of butterscotch, fennel seed, tobacco leaf, Honey Nut Clusters and hints of mixed boiled sweets (fruit, Everton mint and menthol). The citrus notes are subtle and rich, coming through as flourless orange cake.
Still plenty of peaty oomph, although perhaps lighter in body. Notes of cigars and golden syrup flapjacks with sweet black tea on the tail and hints of chocolate limes.
Smoky treacle lingers with a little peanut brittle.
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Leather box, tobacco leaves on the nose, huge sherry influence, with notes of fresh bourbon and virgin casks, this whisky is a cracker where you can smell fresh sultana raisins, smoke, gentle peat, and a complex taste like few others that ends in a long finish of a mixture of sherry and oak notes sticking to your palate. This is an excellent if not exceptional whisky and proud member of the Ardbeg family (more complexity, less in your face peat). Yes, it's more feminine than the 10 year old, but it adds much more complexity and mix of flavors ranging from sweets to smoky back to amazing European oak. Ardbeg An Oa was rated Best Single Malt Scotch NAS in 2019 at the International Whisky Competition with 95.3 points and it's well worth the taste and experience, a fair score in bling tasting, this is all in all a superb whisky designed with passion and vatted with care, I simply LOVE it!
It's quite good but will be a disappointment to anyone who's tried the excellent Ardbeg 10 year.
First time trying Ardbeg. Love Talisker, Bruichladdich, Octomore, Laphroaig. This fell far short. Harsh and unenjoyable. Will try again sine I own the bottle, but not a good first impression.
An excellent whisky in this price bracket . Lovely sweet undertones, a touch of peat and gentle smokiness Very very good
One of the best whiskies i’ve ever tried in my life!
