Taster

Nose: Phenolic: sooty smoke, beach bonfire, creosote, ozone, brine but with some sweet, biscuity malt. Complex.

Palate: Quite dry, but enough oiliness and sweet fruit to balance the sootiness. Good balance.

Finish: Long, firm.

Comment: All of Ardbeg's uncompromising directness with extra complexity.

Score: 8.5

Taster

Nose: Fragrant. Sea air. Distant smoke.

Palate: More fruitiness than any other Ardbeg. Candied orange peel and cherries. Walnuts, almonds. Marzipan. Bittersweet. Spicy. The roundness of flavours masks the peat.

Finish: Long, haughty. Steely.

Comment: Becomes more complex with age. I admire its style, but hanker for the bravado of the younger Ardbegs.

Score: 8.5