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Ardbeg
Scotland
Single Malt
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.
Just what Ardbeg needed to bridge the gap between Correy, Ugi, and the 10. What an incredible dram, smoke, wood, peat, bacon, and subtle sweet smoothness to finish it off? Bravo lads.
This is not bad whisky, but, by Ardbeg standards (in my experience) it's not good. It strikes me as trying to be lower proof Uigeadail. Mouth feel is thin, an odd salinity, sugar water sweetness and lacks the intense spice and depth. Sure, there's some smoke and peat, but, it doesn't save it.
Though quite within the Ardbeg line, it has an added oiliness and sweetness to it, benefit of the PX Sherry Casks. It is more complex and interesting than Ardbeg Ten. Now, and very intriguingly, the An Oa has, to me, a striking resemblance to the Kilchoman Sanaig -- albeit without the internal struggle between the bourbon and sherry casks (presumably because of the predominance of the Oloroso sherry there) that makes the Sanaig a much more interesting whisky than the An Oa. Similar ABV and price range, as well, though here for a bigger bottle. In spite of sizing, I perhaps would still go for the Sanaig (though I might be biased towards Kilchoman -- such a classy young distillery!).
I really enjoy this newly added Ardbeg to their standard range.
In blind tasting of Tallinn Whisky Club, Estonia, we voted An Oa to the top of our list of tastings from year 1998 (Corry, Uigeadail and 10YO are also in our top 10). Ardbeg's usual peated barley with perfect combination of three different casks make An Oa a bit darker and not very sweet, presumably because of charred cask. Yes, someone could complain that An Oa is younger than 10YO and more expensive but - it is worth the price. Thank you for proving that making an excellent whisky can take less than 10, 12, 15 or 25 years. The others should worry, not you :)