Review by: The Muskox
This is the latest addition to Ardbeg’s core range. I’ve heard it called “Ardbeg for wimps”. As a distinguished wimp, I was very excited to finally try it.
Distillery: Ardbeg.
Bottler: Official bottling.
Region: Islay.
ABV: 46.6%.
Age: No age statement.
Cask type: First-fill ex-bourbon, charred virgin oak, and Pedro Ximenez sherry.
Price: $127 CAD.
Color: e150. Non-chill-filtered.
Nose: Strident Ardbeg peat: campfire, barnyard, smoldering twigs, and smoked fish. But hold on, there’s a layer of fruity, sticky PX sherry sweetness not too far behind. Orange juice, burnt sugar, thick honey, Canada Dry, and vanilla. Herbs and licorice. A little bit of graham cracker.
Palate: Medium body. Arrives quickly, and … wow, the peat hovers just on top of the sweetness, stays for a second, gets a few shots in, then departs. The foundation is ripe banana, sweet red fruits, manuka honey and cinnamon. That heavy ash-and-charcoal note sticks around for just long enough. There’s plenty of wood spice, salt, herbs, and some hot peppers.
Finish: Sweet. Like, 2 parts sweet to 1 part smoke. There’s some apple, red licorice, and maple syrup. Bittersweet, earthy coffee and tobacco ash help balance things out.
Conclusion: This is really tasty. It’s definitely a dessert Ardbeg. If you think that’ll bother you, just drink Uigeadail instead. I find it to be well-balanced (just), complex and flavourful. It’s on the sweet side, sure, but it fills a niche. I’m gonna be drinking more of this in the future.
Final Score: 84.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 