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.
Fantastic whisky! I am fairly new to Islay single malts. The first I tried was the Caol Ila 12 year, which I absolutely loved and still do, then decided to jump ahead and skip the standard bottlings and went straight for the Laphroaig Quarter Cask, and then to this the Ardbeg Uigeadail. The complexity and boldness of this whisky are spot on. I cannot compare it to the standard Ardbeg 10, unfortunately, but I see no reason to downgrade. This has everything I hope for in a single malt scotch. Big powerful peat, with layers of both dried fruit sweetness, savory saltiness and brine, and some bitter coffee in the finish. I've also read people detect earthy notes and leather. Never imagined what leather in a beverage would taste or smell like but I definitely get that, and I can really appreciate it. I'm in a bit of a confusing situation, because I love this whisky so much, and am raving about it to friends, but am hesitant to share it because I don't want it to be gone! It's "affordable" but still not cheap. Hard to go back to a standard offering scotch or bourbon at half its price for your every day tasting, when you'll really desire the nose and flavor of the Uigeadail. If you have an appreciation for smoke and peat in whisky, this one is an absolute must. I dare to say it is good enough that even someone who isn't a peat lover may appreciate it.
One of the best!
Very well tasting
But it's something you have gotta give time and not rush it. More complex than 10 years, and as an owner of perpetuum I have to say this is better. Smoky, sweet and delicious. Not going to in to detail about what I think it tastes like, I find we are all different in that sense. But it's worth the money if you like smoky whisky.
Lots of deliciousness going on -- smoke, ash, sweet peaty phenols, complex sweet fruit and spice with some brine. Even a hint of mocha coffee? A little water really makes it come alive. Quite huge. Lovely.
