Ardbog (Ardbeg)

A ranch-like scent and a clear burnt odor. Burnt smell, sweetness, faint seaweed when included in the mouth. Its smell of peat is unique to Ardbeg. The after taste is sweet like cookies.

23rd June 2019

On several occasions where we tasted many high end - quality Whiskeys, This Ardbog was the best to end with. The taste is so intense, that it would easily dominate more fine and smooth Whiskeys. Now thát says a lot oubout the character. I am not saying its the best, i am saying that this one is one, u cant miss having!

11th December 2016

Nose is bold with hints of sherry and stone fruits, strong overtones of marshmallows and burnt sugar. Not a strong peat, but hints of earth and grass. The saltiness that seems to be a part of the core Ardbeg expressions are limited here by the overwhelming sweet tones - much more so than even than Uigeadail.

Palate is pungent and overwhelmingly alcoholic - likely because the more subdued sherry notes in the flavor aren't masking the alcohol in the way the heavy sherry notes do in Uigeadail. The alcohol breaks for a warm, earthy, wheat flavor in the center; reminiscent of the smell of water grasses and wetland mornings.

Finish retains the pungent alcoholic flavor with a strong emphasis on the wine like tannin feel (imparts a bitterness which is very satisfying alongside the sherry notes) as the liquor evaporates away, leaves you with a nutty, peppery flavor like you might find on piece of meat encrusted with red pepper flakes. Paprika and phenolic sweetness.

Overall, this is an excellent Ardbeg that plays hard and loose with the core expression characteristics by departing from the profile of the Uigeadail. This malt emphasizes much more subdued sherry tones and placing the bitterness of a good sherry to the forefront of the palate, thereby allowing the more peppery flavors traditionally associated with Ardbeg to the finish.

Without consideration of price, this bottle would be a 94/100, but considering that this is a limited release and was considerably more expensive, I'd have to give it an 89/100. For the money (about twenty dollars less), the Uigeadail is still the superior drink. The stronger emphasis on sherry tones and fruity balance to the overwhelming peat and density of the Ardbeg whisky is preferable in the Uigeadail.

20th March 2016

Very citrus-

You clearly have not tried this bottle, as Ardbog tastes nothing like bourbon. Your review is misleading. It tastes more like a complex uigeadail, probably due to better ageing. And lets not forget won gold in the world whisky awards.

9th December 2015

This is coming from an Ardbeg fan. I've had many of their variations. This is probably the worst I've had.

That being said, everyone has their own tastes. It's has a moderate orange flavor and is very thick.
Taste is very reminiscent of bourbon. If that's something you like this may be for you.
But if your mouth favors Ardbeg 10 or uigeadail -- then I'd pass on this one.

18th November 2015

Lots of whiskys gets me enthusiastic, yet Ardbog stands out as the single most giving whisky I've ever tasted. It's rough and raw, but leave it a couple of minutes, add a few drops of water to open it up and you'll be rewarded With a fantastic range of developing tastes, 10, 20 even 30 minutes after the last sip. If you find it, go for it!

22nd July 2015

Since it's release, this has built up quite a stir. Becoming ever hard to get hold of.
I think its mainly retailing for around £150 - £200, if you can find it.
It definitely falls into the bracket of their better expressions and has gained huge regard in its reviews. Rightly so.
I found this to be awesome. If you like the Ugidal, this is the next step. As there's the same sherry influence, but there's more punch, with more smoked meat and savoury, earthy undertones. The twist of what can only be described as salty, toffee, syrup mixed with hot chilli peat. very addictive.

13th January 2015

Sea shore, smoke, tar, nuts, crude oil, sherry, barrel age, chili pepper, and peat. Excellent! With every offering I buy of Ardbeg, I'm falling more and more in love with the product. My advice is to try the Ugidal first. Then go to this one which tastes like a more concentrated version of it. Good luck finding it. If you see it, I suggest picking it up!

6th January 2015

This one is special for me. After reading all the reviews I had to track it down. I live in US state that controls the sale of hard liquor - not beer and wine - it distribute only through state owned outlets. Benefits of that is a set price list and a sophisticated yet accessible online inventory. I found one bottle at a location almost 2 hours away. Packed the kids on a Saturday afternoon and drove up. We arrive only to be told someone has reserved it. I was bummed. I start my search again by calling many many private shops in the neighboring state. We found one - a three store family owned chain that carried it. Wife goes to a baby shower that weekend, somewhere close to one of their stores. They didn't have it on the shelf. wife asked for the manager and one of the owner's sons comes out. He goes out back and finds a dusty case of 6. List price is 93$US. She asks him what kind of discount for 2. He said, 70 a piece since these things aren't selling anyway. She buys them and runs. Wish she bought more. On to my review.

This is a very special very beautiful scotch. I have had the ugie and the Corry. corry comes a little close but remains well behind. I don't drink warm whisky - usually a cold stone. But this one is best savored at room temp. the nose is unlike anything I have ever experienced. for me when the nose is complex, I let the scotch sit in the dram for 5 mins or so before a first sip. drink some water a few minutes beforehand to really wash your palate. take your first sip and let it sit on your tongue moving it side to side to let it touch every single taste bud. you can easily do that with ardbog because it is mature enough that the tongue burn is all but gone. I poured a nice dram - a double by barkeep standards - 30 mins after dinner. I savored it for 3 hours. each sip is an awesome pleasure - more of a privilege to enjoy. take your time with it and see how new hints come forward with each palate and finish. the best way to describe this is to take your favorite part of Lagavulin 16, Talisker Storm, adding the finish of a highland park 18 to the smoothness of a good 21 or 25 yr old like Balvenie or Dalwhinnie. smooth smoke and full peat. I think ardbog nails it.
6 weeks since - I plan to keep a bottle in the box for as long as I can. the other is half way through. I shared 3 drams with my brother and close friends who appreciate it. Hell of a dram.

7th December 2014

Exactly what I was hoping for.
Add a few drops of water and let it rest for two minutes, and Ardbog delivers a fantastic after taste that lasts and lasts, ever evolving. True bliss!

23rd September 2014