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Ardbeg Back to Whisky Reviews
The Ardbeg distillery has been nestled in a cove on the southern tip of Islay since 1815. The distillery was mothballed in 1981, and went through numerous changes in ownership and small-batch distilling until 1997. Fortunately in 1997, to the delight of fans all over the world, Glenmorangie rescued Ardbeg and a team of dedicated souls set about repairing and reviving the distillery. Both distilleries were bought in 2006 by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) of France. As well as their line of “hand-bags”, LVMH also own Moet & Chandon and Dom Perignon Champagne and Hennessy Cognac.
Jim Murray [1] – 94 – n. oily, slapped-on-all-over-with-a-trowel-peat that leaves nothing uncoated; t. amazing grassy, salivating sweetness of malt on one level; lip-smacking chewy, gently oiled peat on another; soft traces of cocoa where they meet; f. moderate thoughtful spices….massaged…. by the most subtle of smoke; b. close your eyes and enjoy.
Michael Jackson [2] - 85 – n. smoke, brine, iodine dryness; t. Medium to full body, but very firm. A light heavyweight with a punch of a higher division. Skips sweetly along at first, then becomes mean and moody; f. hefty, lots of iodine.
Dipsophilia Ardbeg Tasting – November 8, 2008
The purpose of this tasting was to try the two new Ardbeg whiskies available at the BCLDB, and an excuse to buy a bottle of the 10 yo, and crack open a bottle of the Uigeadail!
Whiskies (in order tasted):
Reviewers: Jackie & Aidan
Colour: Pale straw, Angus’ hair colour
Nose: Peaty, sweet (candy), vanilla, floral
Taste: Peaty, sweeter, vanilla caramels
Finish: Peat hangs around, rest is over quickly
Balance: Still peaty, a beginner’s Ardbeg
Add a splash of water: Much sweeter.
Score: Aidan – 81; Jackie – 80
Colour: Very similar to the Blasda, light straw
Nose: Huge peat, iodine/seaweed, salty, trace vanilla, a little floral
Taste: warm peat, a little oily
Finish: vanilla, peat
Add a splash of water: More peat? Is it possible? More iodine
Score: Aidan – 85; Jackie – 88
Colour: richer, golden straw
Nose: Sweaty feet on first nose, dissipates (thankfully!), vanilla cookies, v. limited peat, smoky more then peaty
Taste: much smoother than the Blasda
Finish: quick to leave, improved with a splash of water
Add a splash of water: Even smoother, oranges, more floral, big difference.
Score: Aidan – 87; Jackie – 89
Colour: light straw
Nose: Peat, seaweed, lemon, ocean, honey, floral, complex, varnish
Taste: Peat, vanilla, peppery, a symphony of tastes, very complex, very smooth
Finish: long finish, “hot”, peat stays with you for a long time
Balance: a well educated Islay, been to Eton, Oxford and then returned home to Islay!
Add a splash of water: Vanilla blossoms, sweeter
Score: Aidan – 94; Jackie – 96
[1] Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2006, Carlton books Ltd., ISBN 1 84442 550 9
[2] Michael Jackson’s Malt Whisky Companion 1999, Dorling Kindersley Limited, ISBN 0-7513-0708-4