Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Moet Hennessy
Average price: € 150.00
Official website: www.ardbeg.com
The Ardbeg anthology trilogy concludes in this summer of 2025 with the serpent-like beast tormenting the coast of Islay, joining the 2023 Harpy and the 2024 Unicorn.
The Beithir had slipped into the distillery’s warehouses, slipping between the casks, and was discovered with three of them in its belly. A hypnotic music played with pipes managed to lure the beast back into the Atlantic, leaving the casks afloat.
Maturation involves the use of custom-made casks (a first for Ardbeg), air-dried in the USA, and then subjected to heavy toasting and light charring before being seasoned for at least four years with bourbon.
Master Blender Gillian Macdonald states this will create a smoother, creamier profile.
Tasting Notes
On the nose, the aroma of burnt wood is very present, especially at first, almost overshadowing the peat, finding itself with smoke somewhere between arboreal and coastal, a bonfire by the sea where wood, juniper, and pine needles crackle. Within this framework, sweet fruit (peach, apricot, pineapple, baked apple), pastry (meringue, sponge cake, honey brioche with pecans), candied orange, licorice, and nutmeg raise. Over time, it develops a hint of herbal bitterness, with balsamic overtones. Intriguing.
On the palate, it is creamy and lively, the kick of black pepper, chili pepper, and sweet paprika driving strong citrus tones where the smoke obviously takes center stage, more harmonious here in its duality between earth and sea, with the saline component enveloping the flavors. Nuts (almonds, peanuts, walnuts), apple, cloves, sweet licorice, and a notable herbaceous and vegetal component, including burnt pine needles, fennel, bergamot tea, and a lit Caribbean cigar. A fleeting note of roasted coffee beans. Full-bodied.
The finish is long, spicy, and savory, with licorice, cloves, citrus, tea leaves, fennel, crème brulee, and aromatic, balsamic smoke.
Review: Perhaps a bit messy on the nose, it reveals fullness and elegance on the palate, with nuances that perhaps betray the spirit of the distillery but are unlikely to leave anyone indifferent. The experiment, for me, isn’t a complete success, but it’s an interesting path to explore.
Vote: 87/100