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.
I’ve been a huge fan of Lagavulin for many years, but this is seriously challenging for the title. Absolutely beautiful balance of peat, malt, sherry and brown sugary goodness. This is why we drink Scotch.
A mouth watering dram
One of the best Ardbegs I've been drinking, if you like the 10-year old and want something extra that wont dissapoint, this is it.
Was always a speyside man and always will be, I think, but this whisky is all about balance, I can't get over how the sweetness of the sherry and bourbon can match the peat.On my third bottle now and I think I'm appreciating how good it really is more now.
It’s full, it’s complex, it’s well balanced, from the start to that long finish. One of the very best smokey whiskies. It does benefit from a splash (not more) of water.
