Review by: Raygun
Not many distilleries will slap a 5 on a label. They’re more likely to avoid an age statement at all. So Ardbeg is making something of a statement with this addition to the core lineup, debuting in 2020. Half the age of the 10 and aged in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks as opposed to the bourbon only maturation of the 10. I bought this back in 2020 but decided to sell it to a neighbor, on the condition that I could keep a 2 oz. sample. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 15 minutes.
Distillery: Ardbeg
Bottler: Ardbeg
Region/style: Islay single malt Scotch
ABV: 47.4%
Age: 5 years old. Released in 2020.
Cask type: Bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks
Color: 1.1 burnished. Natural color and non-chill-filtered.
NNose: Strongly peaty, yet not in the barbecue smoke more typical of Ardbeg. More seaweed and clams and a side of swimming pool. Vanilla and toffee. Not picking up much sherry influence but there is some earthy funk.
Palate: Despite the name, it’s more approachable than aggressive. Very peaty, but again not so smoky. Seaweed, clam juice, asphalt, rubber, and licorice. I don’t taste much sherry here either. More than the nose I’d say. There is a touch of something sweet, but somewhat indistinct. It’s almost like Ardbeg doing a Laphroaig impression.
Finish: Strongly peaty and pretty similar to the palate overall. A hint of orange and dried dates from the sherry cask. Somewhat less briny. Still getting asphalt and the licorice is very noticeable.
Conclusion: I’ll give them points for sticking an age statement on something this young. Not many distilleries or even IBs would. And it’s drinkable, not coming off as too young. Can’t complain much about the price, and it makes for a solid introduction to peat. I haven’t had Ardbeg 10 in too long to compare well. This isn’t a style I look for much these days, and I have no regrets about selling the bottle. It’s decent, but there are a number of things I’d rather drink.
Score: 75
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
- 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
- 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)
