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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I thought that this was lovely, not too full on like some Ardbegs (which I love btw). I will be buying this again before Christmas. & for the price you won't get much better at this price level.
Ardbeg is not for the faint of heart, but An Oa will appeal to a lot more folks because of its smoothness. It is approachable on the first taste; however, the taster beware that the long finish and linger is all smoky peat.
All the “Islay tough guys” moaning about how this “doesn’t have the Ardbeg ooomph” and going on about how much they love peat are both tiresome and parochial. I don’t believe this whisky would ever have been released say…30 years ago. It was a very good idea. Despite being over 46% abv, this is complex, soft & soothing. It definitely doesn’t need water. If you are a Highland drinker, if you prefer your whiskies sweet and soft and unctuous, this might be the Islay for you.
I tried quite a few whilst visiting the distillery, some I love, but this one lacks something, now I get that this is probably aimed at a palate not used to the full on Islay peat punch, but it lacked character to my personal taste.
First it smells heavily peated, the it starts to develop towards a gentle, floral taste. What a surprise!
