Single Malt
Scotland
No
Yes
This stunning expression from Islay's Ardbeg distillery on the Kildalton Coast is named after a nearby loch (pronounced "Oog-a-dal"). It's the perfect example of how sweet and savoury notes can work together spectacularly - you'll find Ardbeg's maritime salinity intact here, combined with dried fruit notes imparted by time spent in sherry casks. Kind of like when you mix sweet popcorn and salty popcorn together, it results in something absolutely wonderful.
Multifaceted, notes of peat and little flourishes of dark sugar, freshly ground espresso beans, cereal notes and a most sophisticated tar.
Led by sweet, ripe fruit and black forest honey. A good helping of malt. The throne then usurped by a powerful peat and smoked barley.
Very long, caramel and malt weave their way through peat smoke and dark sugar and just a hint of fresh espresso coffee before it finally peters out.
Such deft balance! How wonderful to sample Ardbeg so beautifully complimented by sherry.
Tried this whisky today for the second time. My first tasting two years ago was not a pleasant experience, but today after adding a couple teaspoons of water left me with a different experience. Very smooth, pleasant and flavorful. Highly recommended.
This used to be my hands down favorite whisky. For years, it was my go-to bottle that I always had on hand. However, over the past 2 years it seems like the quality of the bottle has been slipping. No longer do you get the rich, complex flavor of wood, sugar, and smoke. Instead, the whisky almost seems young and on the blander side (much like many of the Ardbeg special releases I've tried of late.) Perhaps it's my own personal tastes which have changed with the years, but I don't think so. I honestly believe something has happened to this whisky to make it lose some of its character. This latest bottle that I have purchased will likely be my last for awhile, as it is the second in a row within the past year that has been a bit of a let down. At least the Laphroaig Cask Strength still seems to be holding strong.
Pour a glass, add a small splash of spring water, and leave for 10 mins to let it open up & for the odour to percolate through the whole room, lovely. I find myself sniffing at my nosing glass constantly throughout the night and enjoy this just as much as drinking it, as there's so much flavour in there. Islay malts aren't for everyone but if you like them, then ardbeg takes some beating.
Dates cake rose Brown Sugar .... The best...
This is the best Islay I've ever had because it doesn't cheaply rely on smoke alone. Instead, the deep sherried notes on this make it a truly two-way whisky which appeals to us who don't like uni-dimensional Islays (think Arbbeg 10, Laphroaig 10, etc) and instead opt for sherried whiskies. Terrific value for money here given that this Ardbeg is so fantastically constructed!
