Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Gradation: 52.1%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Moet Hennessy
Average price: € 250.00
Official website: www.ardbeg.com
Vote: 84/100
As many people know, every year at the end of May Islay hosts the Fèis Ìle, a ten-day event celebrating the island’s culture and tradition, which is closely linked to whisky production.
Traditionally, the distilleries produce celebratory bottlings, and on the last Saturday of the festival Ardbeg Day is held at the distillery, a meeting point for all fans of this iconic whisky.
Let’s go back to 2013 and the bottling of that year, Ardbog, the result of the union of ex-Bourbon barrels and ex-Sherry Manzanilla butts in which it matured for about ten years (not officially declared), the name is a reference to the bog for which Ardbeg is so famous for.
Tasting notes
And as expected, it is peat that greets the nose first, acrid and mellow with lovely notes of burnt tyres and asphalt, where the cask strength acts as a back-up without excelling. Nor is there any lack of marine and mineral afflatus, which especially on the length blows on aromas of fruit (apple, pear, dates, citrus), soy sauce, sacher cake and pine nuts. The peat tends to settle down over time, leaving more room for sweet and dark tones that are anything but cloying. Intriguing.
The palate is crisp, ginger and pepper emerge decisively on candied orange and, obviously, peat, here more coastal and smoky. Oily and full but very dry, it reiterates the impressions of dark fruit (turning to plums, blueberries, black cherries) with licorice, balsamic vinegar, burnt caramel. Quite simple and direct, without surprises.
Long, dry finish of burnt seaweed, ginger, citrus, liquorice, coffee candy, ash.
Not exactly a monster of complexity, more interesting on the nose than in the mouth, but still a variation of Ardbeg quite drinkable, even if you’d expect more from the special editions. Definitely worth a try if the opportunity arises.
Reviews of Ardbeg whisky in the blog
Another perspective:
The Whiskey Jug