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
Despite it being a mere 5 YO, this Islay malt delivers smoky peat with nice flavor, much like many of Ardbeg's NAS whiskys however noticeably not as full-bodied as something with more age on it - its youth is evident, but, depending on the personal taste of the consumer, not necessarily inferior. For me, it's very very good, but not quite excellent. I wouldn't turn it down, as it IS an enjoyable Islay malt from Ardbeg, but would rather be offered a dram of the 10.
Tried this at my friends place and i was pleasantly surprised. It's a really nice peated scotch
I love Ardbeg's 10 year old and was very excited to try this latest younger edition of their offerings. If you enjoy a heavily peated smoky Islay malt like I do then this is a must dram. The color is a light golden straw with just a hint of haze. On the nose is a powerful waft of smoke and sea spray with a touch of creamy butterscotch and toffee sweetness. The wonderful peat smoke of Islay explodes on the palate with tarry rope and more sea spray, similar to their 10 year old but even more raw and intense. The sweetness of butterscotch and salted caramel comes through as well, which balances out the intense smokiness very nicely. The finish is extremely long and lingers long after tasting. The whole experience is like enjoying a bonfire on the beach after a day out at sea. Well done Ardbeg for this beastie of a dram!
When I open this it just tatsed raw but having sat open for a month the complexity developed very well. Quite a punch but with a beautiful fruity, slighty lighty oaky but very peaty flavour. For the money not at all bad.
As peated whiskeys age, they tend to lose the overwhelming peat flavour and gain complexity; for me, the 10 year old Ardbeg has always been a brilliant trade-off between the two opposing forces. In the case of Wee Beastie, whilst the nose and mouthfeel of the five year old is quite similar to its older stablemate, the iodine is unsurprisingly much sharper and more pronounced and the finish is shorter. But, horses for courses; this one isn't going for the last word in sophistication and those who are in search of a great in-your-face peat experience should find it quite satisfying, and at a great price point.
