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
Since Ardbeg Uigeadail is an Islay I was expecting peat and smoke. The nose was smoke. There was a pleasant taste of peat with hints of sherry but it was almost overwhelmed by the S*M*O*K*E. The finish was iodine and more smoke. I've never had such a smokey whisky before.
Im still quite new to smokey whiskies. After sampling the Ardbeg 10 i fell in love with it. So i wanted to try the next step. On the nose i get alot of peat with sugar notes and a touch of coffee. The palate is lovely, it starts off with caramel and honey, you get a touch of the peat but its very much in the back seat. The finish is amazing, with the caramel and honey kicking it off for a split second. Then the smoke kicks in. The smoke and the caramel honey flow perfectly in harmony. Neither are competing for the glory. I was surprised with the balance. I wouldnt say that its as smokey as the 10, but its far more complex. A bottle will always be on my shelf thats for sure!
This is a first-rate Islay whisky that ranks among the highest for my partner and myself - peaty, full of character, but not without sweetness. Recommended.
I like to try whiskies from all over Scotland, but must confess that those from Islay are my favorites. And of the Islay whiskies, Ardbeg is my first and eternal love. This whisky has all that I love in the Ardbeg 10 and more. The smoke is strong but balanced on the nose, with aromas of the malt and fruit that await on the palate. This is a complex whisky, with smoke giving way to to sea spray giving way to sweet malt and finally rounding out with the sherry fruitiness. And then the flavors reappear as you savor the sip before enjoying a final bit of smoke. The flavors are magically distinct on the tongue but also harmonious. I pour this one on weekends when my labor is ended and I enjoy with just splash of water or maybe a very small ice cube. It's a whisky for sipping slowly while thinking or reading or just reflecting on how life unfolds.
Peat and coffee and strength and balance. Excellent!
