Ardbeg Distillery
ABV 56.3%
Try describing 'Islay' to someone who has never visited before. If they still don't get it, give them a dram of this.
Neil Ridley
Master of Malt
Single Cask Series
Ardbeg
Brand
Ardbeg, 18 Years Old
Expression
Single Malt
Type
18
Age (Years)
56.3%
ABV
Islay
Region/Country
Independent Bottling
Bottling Type
Taster
Nose: Bold peat smoke, slightly burnt egg custard, natural yogurt, a lingering shellfish note and something earthy/mossy - wet river pebbles covered in algae.
Palate: Plenty of fiery peat, almost gingery and drying, with a touch of white pepper and intense cinnamon.
Finish: The peat turns slightly medicinal with time (and water).
Comment: Try describing 'Islay' to someone who has never visited before. If they still don't get it, give them a dram of this.
Score: 8.1
Taster
Nose: Gentle sweet peat smoke, buttered kippers, smoked butter, wood smoke, Parma ham. There is a creaminess as well, pork crackling. Candle wax, coal ash and BBQ lobsters.
Palate: Like being hit by a wave when surfing, salt, minerals, ozone. Then a sweet treacle note, Coal tar soap but not overly astringent.
Finish: Long and smoky, hints of BBQ pork and toasted oak.
Comment: A lovely Islay whisky, certainly one for outdoors on a cold night.
Score: 8.4
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