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.
Was: £192.90Now: £191.90
I had my first Ugi a few years back (and reviewed it here). Since then I've had my journey through Lag 8/12/Distillers Edition (and of course the standard 16), Ardbeg An Oa, various Laph (PX, QC, Triple Wood) bottlings, Kilchoman Sanaig, Port Charlotte, Smokehead, etc. And I am yet to find something that beats the Ugi ounce for ounce on taste, sophistication, and complexity.
Ardbeg grabs you from the balls and takes you to the coast of greyjoy at the iron islands, it drowns you and it brings you back to life, then it reminds you that what is dead may never die and then your mouth tastes iodine for more than 15 min after the last drop you had. Ardbeg is like tasting and feeling the sea. I believe that the memories of an old captain are similar to ardbeg.
Bought a bottle following a tour of the distillery. Was not expecting anything special after tasting the ‘ten’ but WOW! This malt is special. A depth of smell and taste to excite the palate. Caramel tones, spice and honey with a hint of smokiness. Fantastic!
Lots of intense peat and sherry. Very strong and not a good beginner scotch or even beginner Islay. Love the depth of intense flavors this offers with the hint of coastal brine. High abv, ncf, no color added, and all at a reasonable price. All reasons I love ardbeg. This is one of the best under 100 dollars.
Bought a bottle from here two years ago to host for a tasting - fabulous stuff. Rich, dark fruit, smoke embers, salted seashells, vegetal peat. Got another bottle for xmas (2018 batch) and was incredibly singular. Some smoke, sourness, and hardly any fruit. Sent the bottle to Ardbeg for inspection and they told me it's what it's supposed to smell like. But they gave me a bottle of 2017 batches, and it's good. Still not as good as the bottle I had two years ago, but has nice richness and the smoke/peat combo is quite nice.
