Country Scotch Whisky
Region Islay Whisky
Distillery/Brand Ardbeg
Style Single Malt Whisky

Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5yo

Ardbeg's Wee Beastie is a youthful single malt drawn from a combination of ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, bottled up at five years of age. Peaty notes sit at the fore for this one, with oak somewhat taking a back seat, since... Well, y'know, it didn't stay inside those casks for too long. However, don't mistake that for meaning Wee Beastie is an uncomplex expression. It still packs a satisfying flavour profile that should impress many of the Ardbeg aficionados out there.

Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt

Nose There’s sea spray, rock pools, smoked malt and damp bonfire wood initially which waves of sweet and slightly vegetal smoke powers through. Hints of brown sugar, pear drops, a little vanilla and cooked apple add sweetness among notes of spare ribs, lemon sherbet, black pepper and wood shavings. I love this nose, it’s smoky and musty and like standing by a seaside bonfire.

Palate The palate is very pleasantly sweet and salty. Citrus oils and orchard fruits are present along with an unmistakable dark berry tartness which is joined by plenty of damp peat and dry wood smoke. Adding depth there’s pepper steak, creosote and then some touches of clove and liquorice. In the back-end, there’s a juicy sweetness from lychee and peaches as well as just a touch of salted caramel.

Finish The finish is exceptionally long and oily. It’s a bit like sucking on a lemon sherbet and taking a great big whiff of some freshly cut peat, to be honest. While standing on a beach. Lovely.

I've been really good, can I have
Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5yo?
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Winner of 2 spirit awards

Silver
Silver
Distillers' Single Malts 12 years and under - 2022
International Spirits Challenge
Bronze
Bronze
Single Malt Scotch - to 12 Yrs - 2022
San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Allergy information

This product does not contain any notifiable allergens
More allergen information



Reviews for Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 Year Old
A Hint of Liquorice
I like this, just not as much as the 10, but then it is half the age. You get the smokey, peatiness on the nose and then I get a mild taste of liquorice with more bonfire smokiness to finish. It is nice, but as I say I prefer the Ardbeg 10.
P , United Kingdom
2 months ago
Awesome
The description given on MoM is very accurate, I got most of the tasting notes which was nice and varied with each mouthful and on the nose. The bottle says chocolate but I didn’t really get that (not like in a jura 10). It’s not mellow like an older whisky, but definitely enjoyed it more than Lagavulin 8 to compare with another young expression. We’ll worth it if you’re into islay
Ifan , Spain
2 months ago
Gorgeous. Don’t let the age put you off
I have had a few Ardbegs: 10, Corryvrekan, An Oa, Uigeadail. This is surprisingly soft and sweet. A truly lovely experience. The finish is longer than I expected and the mouthfeel has a pleasant oiliness. This does not suffer for its youth. The sherry cask does wonders for the complexity and drinkability. If you like Ardbeg, grab a bottle.
Tam O’ B , Japan
3 months ago
I told you so
I’ve always liked this Islay whisky and found myself in a whisky bar in Boston in Sept 2023 with a friendly group of people and an underused bottle of this whisky behind the bar. I could see by what the other were drinking that they would like this. I encouraged them to try it and they unanimously all came back from the bar with big smiles and that bottle was gone by the end of the evening. Nice to have my suspicions confirmed. I just ordered another fresh bottle.
John , United Kingdom
5 months ago
Ardbeg beauty
Simply delicious. Beautiful combination of flavours, bonfire, toast, spiced dark chocolate. A complete barbeque for the taste buds. Amazing what these master distillers can do with a 5 year old. A really lovely dram at a great price.
Doug G , United Kingdom
5 months ago
Superb. If you know what you're doing.
So your a classical enthusiast but buying your first punk album.
Wee Beastie has the killer chords to make you realise what you've been missing.
George A , United Kingdom
5 months ago
Raw but enjoyable
Not as smooth as some more mature Islay malts, but enjoyable. A relative who had to stop drinking alcohol, found a very, very dilute glass of this still had an aroma and taste that proved an acceptable blast from the past, and an alternative to the alcohol free beers!
Julian , United Kingdom
7 months ago
Please Read!
Very smoky and peaty. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Everyone who has given 1 star ⭐️ simply doesn’t like Islay whiskey.

It’s like ordering a beef burger knowing you’re a vegan. OF COURSE you’re not gonna like it or eat it!
Toby Callaghan , United Kingdom
8 months ago
Too unique a flavour for me
Received this bottle as a gift and whilst I am grateful I can't help wondering if its some kind of practical joke. I can't say I'm a connoisseur of obscure malts but this has a nose and taste of coal tar products (itchy scalp shampoo springs to mind).
Can't say I'll risk another drop. Shame really
Master of Malt Customer
11 months ago
Beasty Dram
A seriously delicious drop without the serious dough. If you enjoy a peated dram, the Wee beastie hits the spot without exception. Delicious citrus with an ashy presence. Sweet and savory. Ardbeg hit it out of the park with this one .
Aj B , Canada
one year ago