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.
This was my first dabble into serious whisky. Since then I have tried over 30 different classy malts. But like a woman in a clothes shop the first one I tried was my favourite. Simply stunning. And to the people who don't get it. I feel for you.
Seriously I like scotch and whiskey but not this. I detect strong notes of an ashtray and dirty boots. The finish blew the windows out of my house. It's terrible and I don't understand why.
Not much more to add than the below. Ardbeg are my #1, and this is the best Ardbeg, though the 10 may be better pound for pound, being that much cheaper.
Bought this to compare with my laphroaig Quarter cask. I think i'm leaning towards the Laphroaig, just because i feel its slightly sweeter and richer. However I really appreciate the body and complexity of the ardbeg. Close call, both are equally great and easily beat some bottles twice their price.
For the longest time I thought peat lovers were just a bunch of contrarians declaring their love of something that tasted horrible for the sake of it's horrible-ness. It took a few years but now I see the light! So complex and powerful. I have grown to love peat (guess I have just grown up). Uigeadail is magnificent!
