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.
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'.
I'm yet to find a better whisky. Pure peng
It was a wee bit challenging for me - but that’s my opinion. I kind of struggled my way through it, don’t get me wrong I enjoyed it, but the sheer strength of the dram along with the Islay nose made it and uphill struggle.
A brooding, spicy, rich, oily whisky with a fantastical mix of deep flavours and a wonderfully smokey finish. Exceptional.
It's a bit sharp for my taste, lighter alcohols are dominant; it burns like a younger scotch. Makes me think this is the head of something new blended into the tail of something old. I appreciate the smokey peaty maritime finish that earns the islay name. Overall a hearty sipper!
