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.
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.
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.
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.
Was: £67.90Now: £64.95
First time for wee beastie, I am a bowmore no.1 man. But wow, this is a poor man's lagavulin 16. I would buy again.
Fab..took two weeks to get used to it! Initially thought it undrinkable but perseverance was the key.. now I love it! Very fine whisky...
As a lover of 10 I was eager to get my hands on this and now I can say It doesn't come near the refined taste of 10. The nose is overwhelming.... Like somebody pushed your head in a bag full of meat, chocolate and coal. It's a lot to take but when it gets air it softens and is more balanced. Then it's very enjoyable to drink and the nose is softer. Not the best Ardbeg but still good. For a young whisky it's well balanced and great buy.
Im pretty new to whisky and love peated whisky. i have tried quite a few now and enjoyed ardbeg 10, uigeadail and An Oa so thought i would give this a go. I hit a brick wall on this one i can quite push through, domonent on the nose and it transfers to the pallett is the smell and taste of melting car tyre rubber . I put the bottle away for a while to see if it tempered down but it did not, Ill maybe have to play with water to see if this help or dash something else in with it. Its not for me but im a big fan of the other Ardbeg's i've tried, it a shame this is not in the same class
I got this as I had already tried the 10yo and uigeadail. Absolutely loved it. Definitely my favourite out of the three. Very similar to Lagavulin 16 (my top pick) which if you don't want to pay out for it, the wee beastie would be best next choice!
