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.
Of all the Islays I have at home at the moment, Ardbeg 10, Laphroaig 10, Laphroaig Qtr, Bowmore 12, it is the least expressive on the nose (supressed by the sherry?), and completely out of whack on the palate-with an astringent burn, burnt finish although given 30-40 seconds a pleasurable, very Islay aftertaste. But what's gone wrong in the middle? Although I like all of the above, the pick is the Laphroaig Qtr for me, lovely balance at higher strength, very complimentary sherry and absolutely none of the Islay hit missing-and a lovely long, pleasant smokey finish. In fact, basically what I was hoping for but didn't find in the Uigeadail!
If you love peat then you will love this. Smokey, brown sugar, last a long time, simply amazing. Worth very penny.
It's been a couple of years since I last bought a bottle of Uigeadail. I'd forgotten how amazing this Whisky is. I won't be leaving it so long again to buy another bottle.
Very moorish dram! Smoke, peat and well balanced - this is my whisky of choice with 'Lagavulin 16yo' a very close 2nd!
Great with or without a sprinkle of water. Its complex enough to fit just about every mood.
