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Ardbeg
Scotland
Single Malt
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Drum is the first whisky released by Ardbeg to have enjoyed a finishing period in rum casks! It was initially matured in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred over to casks that had previously held rum from the Americas. The result pits the classic savoury smoke of Ardbeg's spirit against the bright, fruity notes introduced by the rum casks - a wonderfully tasty juxtaposition! This is the Committee Release of Ardbeg Drum, which has been bottled at 52% ABV.
This bottle was part of a private collection - if you'd like more detailed photos just get in touch!
Roasted pine, fresh vanilla pod, meaty malt, fried banana and spicy clove.
Dried fruit soaked in rum, stem ginger, mint imperial sweeties, fiery peat and a waft of coastal salinity.
Toasted brown sugar, red chilli chocolate and a juicy hint of papaya.
The thing that strikes me at first is the agave notes that hits you in the taste and aftertaste. I know it´s finished in ex-Rum casks but a fine Mezqual note intrigues. Fascinating.
Quite disappointing really. Lacking depth or complexity, nothing to warrant the price.
Must concur with previous review, quite the anticlimax. Fruit and spices barely detectable, and lighter than the Ten, but still enjoyable. Definitely an Ardbeg, but the Carribean touch is very light.
Initial reaction was one of disappointment as the tropical fruit and spices were not as strong as I had anticipated, but second dram appears to be better, as is the case with most newly opened bottles. Smoke not as strong as ten year old or some of the recent committee releases, but that is to be expected when finished in a rum cask and a little longer in the latter would not have gone amiss. Not typical of Ardbeg, but still identifiable as such given the rum finish. The sweetness from Demerara sugar and molasses is there, as are, piney, pineapple, coconut, mangoes and other tropical fruits, but not in abundance. Jamaican spices very much in the background, ginger and cardoman spices. After 10/15 minutes banana comes to the fore with stewed apples and some pears. Sun dried and preserved fruits also in the background. On the palate the smoke and ash are stronger than in the aroma, much less sweet and fruity initially. Finish is brief compared to other Ardbegs and as expected the smoke lingers longer than anything else.
