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
Best 5 year old single malt that I’ve knowingly had, the 10 is far better but that’s not to take anything away from this fantastic dram. The price point of around £32 on sale is about right.
Wonderful dram. Punches way above it's $$$. The youth of the whiskey just feels like a little pepper on the palate whereas the nose, palate and finish are as good if not better than the 10. My new go to Single malt from Ardbeg.
Hmmm... personally think the 10 is far superior. Is very rough and you get a lot of raw alcohol notes from it which i’m not a fan of. Try it if your a fan of Ardbeg but don’t expect something of the same standard as then 10
Wowsers. The youth sting hits you first up, and I don't particularly like that bite I've found in smokehead, big peat and kilchoman presentations. But under that the smoke waft you get the sweetness notes coming through. I've spent an entire afternoon on two generous drams, and the experience with both is after a while the sweetness with layered smoke is just divine. I went off months off reviews online, on YT, etc and got myself 3 bottles. And just from these two drams, I can tell you it was a great buy and one that I will enjoy for some time to come.
For a 5 year old, this is impressive. So interesting on the nose, smoky, sweet and fresh. On the palate the saltiness comes to the fore with plenty of peaty smokiness together with a sweetness that balances the whole thing well. The finish is lingering, smoky and zesty. Very impressive indeed.
