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.
It's pretty good... *embraces bottles and pulls the sheets over our head*
Worked my way up to this one from Talisker, Caol ila and Laphroaig. Hard to top the incredible flavour and after taste, if anyone can suggest a better malt for similar price I'm all ears.
American Oak primary maturation which is Jack Daniels ex bourbon, finished in sherry casks, which are an assertive wood and produce a strong influence on the final spirit. Bubbles - not fully shaken, but long lasting, large, indicating high ABV Appearance - light golden colour Coatline - light thin Legs - ran quickly and are thin, indicating young whisky. Nose - peat, honey, fruit cake. Palate - very long lasting, peat and fruitcake flavours remain. Conclusion - nice whisky, but not quite the Ardbeg 10
The peat taste is very strong and warming; definitely its wining character. However, beyond the peat all I can pick up in taste is band aides. Feels rough around the edges, this one's not for me.
I really wish I could take credit for the following description but alas, it is not mine. I will repeat it here: "It tastes like a burning church". I could not possibly say it better. Wonderful stuff!
