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.
in our 2011 blind tasting of 15 whiskies, this was a winner again - to match its victories in 2009 and 2010. You really can't go wrong - even though it may vary slightly batch to batch. For those who are interested the Talisker 175th Anniversary Edition was a close second - indeed, on a FPTP system it had most 1st places and would have won! But using AV, and also using average scores, the Ardbeg held up as the favourite.
By definition whisky is not whisky without oak. I know everyone will be looking for TCP,smoke,tar, and then go in search of the honey and sherry notes,(and everything from wet clothes to whatever). Keep in mind the cask. The effect of the oak on this whisky is fantastic and there is even that wee lemon oak note if you wait.It might be a bit brash but this is really splendid stuff that clearly shows the skill of the people behind it. I agree with all the opinions before - just wanted to give a shout for the oak.
Under details this is listed as chill filtered is it - don't think this is right is it? Also don't think it's single cask is it. How does the Corrtvreckan comapre to this?
It's the best whisky I've tasted in years. Gone through three bottles already. A real pleasure, every dram. I'll have to buy a bottle and tuck it away for future years, as I'll want to visit this old friend down the road. Buy this with no hesitation, trust me.
Won our blind tastings (comprising regular and non-regular whisky drinkers) 2 years in a row. Though given how distinctive the taste is whether it is truly blind is another matter... Huge whisky and worth the few pounds over a standard malt.
