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.
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My new favorite, highly recommend this one.
Only recently got into Ardbeg and it has rapidly overtaken both Glenlivet and The Balvenie as my favourite distillery. I agree with the committee that this is the best of the core expressions. Light smoke on the nose with barbecued burnt brisket ends and treacle. A mind blowing maple syrup and smoked bacon note on the palate with some spice added in and a long finish of all of the above. Buy a bottle, I’d pour this stuff on my cornflakes if I could...
Still the best for me.others come close but this is no1.
Still growing in my tastes but this one is so well integrated there’s nothing not to like. Each instrumen: salinity, peat, caramel all play in exquisite harmony. Encore
Balance is the key here - the peat smoke complimented and softened by crunchy demerera sugar. It's a great whisky and (maybe, just maybe) edges out Lagavulin 16y from the top spot for 'great, affordable scotch whisky'.
