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.
This, My fellow Whisky drinkers, is my first Ardbeg ever. I have heard a lot of Ardbeg, most of which kept me from trying, but after my (almost spiritual) experience with the Balvenie 17 Peated cask, I just wanted a real peated one. I have done with Islay's before, being Laphroag and Lagavulin. I found those to be interesting by their own means, definately not bad, but I just don't buy another when at the shops. I did, however, buy the Ardbeg Uigeadail and I'm now convinced, God sent me a sign. In the sniffer: This was where the first mayor surprice was. Sinece this liqour has touched sherry butts, I'd expect some sherry in the nose, but never this much. Sharp, fresh and inviting with the smoke lurking underneath (and it will come out, given time or a splash of H2O). I got leather and coffee/chocolate and oranges (?). It's a feast for my nose. The sip: I'd expect some spice/burn from the high abv. Second surprice: None came. Instead this whisky layers all over the mouth and start to develop. The sherry first with citrus/orange, then an oaky, smoky sweetnes that increases in intensity. I believe to find pepper in the end. The finish: The finish is dominated by the smoke and sweetness but it is not as long as the Lagavulin 16 or Laphroaig 10. I would have enjoyed a longer finish as it is pleasant, but it's solved by having another sip. Clever. With water: Not tried yet.
If I had to chose one whisky and that was the only whisky I could drink for the rest of my life then Ardbeg Uigeadail would be it.
+1
Not the most complex but easy to drink and has a nice flavor. It's true what the guy below said, there is a bit of a smokey/ashy after taste on the breathe... but there's something charming about a campfire, and there's something charming about a cabin with a wood burning stove. Same theory at work, if smoke and ash connect you to the world spiritually then you will probably enjoy it as I do.
Sorry, I forgot to rate this whisky. Nothing else really
