The Legendary Ardbeg distillery is known for being the king of peat in the world of whiskies. Most people would have had tried the Ardbeg 10 years old which is considered along with the Lagavulin 16 years old the benchmark of which what other peat whiskies are compared against. Launched in 2003 this whisky (pronounced “Oog-a-dal”) within 6 years in 2009 won Jim Murray’s whisky of the year and in the previous year 2008 it’s sibling the Ardbeg 10 years also won whisky of the year. In recent year’s bottles of Ardbeg has been very collectible and it shown by an increase of 43% in sales volume in the past two years! This just means this distillery is doing something right!
The Ardbeg distillery is located on the south coast of Isle of Islay and began commercial production in 1815. For many years the distillery produced whisky for blends and production halted in 1981, but started very slowly again in 1989 until 1996 where it was put up for sale. In 1997 Glenmorangie purchased Ardbeg for 7 million pounds and was back to full production by 1998. In terms of production it is still a very small distillery with about 1.3 million litres in capacity and doing that with only two pot stills which runs an 24 hours 7 days a week shift.
Google Streets Map - Ardbeg Distillery what a awesome view...
I am very impressed with this small distillery, located next to its bigger neighbours Lagavulin and Laphroaig it has managed to build up quite a cult status and special releases usually fetch quite a high price and are extremely collectible. An interesting observation is that Glenmorangie is actually owned by Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton meant and after looking at their website and the type of promotions (Ardbeg Day)that they do, one could consider that they could be marketing Ardbeg as an “premium” brand whisky.
The Ardbeg range contains: 10 years Old, Uigeadail NAS and the Corryvreckan (Ex Bourbon and new French oak) and many limited releases
Tasting Notes from Ardbeg website:
NOSE:
Rich and weighty with heady and smoky aromatics. At full strength, the initial aroma is a beguiling mix of warm Christmas cake, walnut oil and parma violets fused with fresh ocean spice, cedar and pine needles falling from the Christmas tree. A smouldering coal fire and the scent of well-oiled leather brings warmth. The sweetness of treacle toffees and chocolate-coated raisins emerge through the smoke. With water, the deep smokiness increases in intensity, reminiscent of a fired Christmas pudding. Rich flowering currants and warm baked banana and walnut bread are served with simmering mocha espresso.
PALATE:
Full flavoured and rich with a deep mouth-coating texture, the taste is an intriguing balance between sweet, spicy and deep smoky flavours. The flavour is initially sweet. A burst of winter spices sets off a smoky-spicy explosion countered by a sumptuous mid-palate of honey glazed smoked food and chewy treacle. Waves of deep smoky tones and rich aromas build up on the palate like a fine Montecristo cigar. Sweet pear, mint, kiwi
FINISH:
Amazingly long and chewy with lingering raisiny, deep mocha tones and rich aromatic smoke into the perfectly integrated finish.
ABV: 54.2%
Definitely quite descriptive and I for one wish I could have come up with such an array of words to describe this whisky. However here are my own tasting notes:
Instantly nose the world famous smoke, and spice however the flavours shows lightness, medium bodied. I thought short but very very smooth finish with just enough smoky flavour being carried across. Wow, I think it’s wonderful, in particular I am not a huge heavy peat fan, this whisky somehow makes a peaty whisky sweet and super smooth and easy to drink, its 54.2 ABV but I can barely taste the alcohol it’s masked very nicely. It must be the sherry casks which introduce this sweetness it’s definitely my type of whisky.
In terms of price it’s around the $125 AUD mark and you can get it from your local whisky specialist store. It’s usually in stock and to be honest should be on any whisky fan’s next to taste whisky list. It’s at I think it’s at the right price, it’s NAS but it’s high ABV and it’s a sherry cask so all other factors considered $125 is around the price I will pay for this bottle.
So I can understand why the hype behind this whisky, it has flavour, fame and most importantly you can actually buy it. I think if you haven’t tried it, then it’s something you need to try. It’s not too expensive and it’s great to share with friends. My only disappointment is a shame about the dark bottle… you can’t see it’s beautiful colour.
Taste: 8.6
Price: $$
Cost per shot: $5.35
Rarity: Found at most good whisky stores.
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May 2016
- May 4, 2016 Ardbeg Uigeadail May 4, 2016
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April 2016
- Apr 22, 2016 Glen Orrin 30 Years Apr 22, 2016
- Apr 15, 2016 Hakushu 12 Years SMW Apr 15, 2016
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March 2016
- Mar 28, 2016 Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky Mar 28, 2016
- Mar 22, 2016 World Whiskies Awards 2016 Mar 22, 2016
- Mar 18, 2016 Glen Grant 10 Years Mar 18, 2016
- Mar 11, 2016 Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask Mar 11, 2016
- Mar 4, 2016 The Macallan 12 years Sherry Cask Mar 4, 2016
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February 2016
- Feb 26, 2016 Monkey Shoulders Blended Malt Feb 26, 2016
- Feb 19, 2016 Whisky 101 - Understanding the Label Feb 19, 2016
- Feb 12, 2016 Amrut Fusion SMW Feb 12, 2016
- Feb 8, 2016 Lagavulin 16 Years Old Feb 8, 2016
- Feb 7, 2016 The Yamazaki Single Malt 12 years old Feb 7, 2016