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 once saw a man drinking this. It was in his glass and some in a bottle.
My husband and I are new to the single malt world, but have been really enjoying ourselves. We were set on the Lagavulin 16 being our preferred scotch and this one puts it to shame. So glad I listened to the reviewers on this site and gave it a try. It is absolutely just as peaty as the Lagavulin 16 but is much more well balanced and rich. The smoothness was extraordinary and a single drop just spread like butter over every taste bud in my mouth. It hits all the notes in perfect harmony. The caramel at the end was a nice finish in conjunction with the smokiness. Never thought I'd get turned on by a scotch, but this one blew me away.
I got a bottle of this for my birthday a couple of years ago. Having been a bit underwhelmed by the 10 yr old, this was just in a different league to anything I've tried before or since. An absolute beauty that gave Lagavulin 16 a comfortable nudge off my top spot. Shame I can rarely afford to buy this, but if it comes along once in a while for a special occasion, then it makes it all the better to look after and enjoy. Brilliant, brilliant stuff!
Stick to water its suits you best. For the ardbeg whisky its a complex assortent of sweetness,peatyness and slight medicinal/aniseed taste.Medium/oily bodied, Very smooth, even at 54% I add just a teaspoon of water to bring out the flavours.very easy drinking and well balanced.I would score this 93 points its just amazing dram.
I have for many years enjoyed my malts by adding Irn Bru. I find this adds flavour and body to the malts and really does smooth them. However this Ardbeg really did not work with the Irn Bru. In future I will be more selective with the whiskies I choose.
