Nose : It's so deep and earthy Alice might think it's a route into Wonderland. There's smouldering soil and rock pool salinity (almost bordering on chlorine), as well as a minty/eucalyptus quality that develops into After Eight mints. Cardamom follows, as well as sweetness from tinned peaches and treacle, as well as a strange funkiness akin to Gruyère. Interesting stuff.
Palate : You would think Ardbeg without the purifier would come out punching, but this is a more relaxed intensity. Thick ashy smoke drifts through a palate rich with dark chocolate, apples, charred honeyed meat, and a little cumin.
Finish : Old coffee, more chocolate, smouldering wood, and minty herbs.
About Ardbeg
Ardbeg distillery has been producing whisky since 1798. The distillery is owned by Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, and produces a heavily peated Islay whisky. The distillery uses malted barley sourced from the maltings in Port Ellen.
The Ardbeg distillery was officially founded in 1815 by John McDougall. But Whisky was distilled there long before that. There are no documentations, as Ardbeg was an illegal business back in 1794. The distillery is now owned by LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy), which also owns Glenmorangie distillery in the Highlands of Scotland. The current capacity is just over one million litres per annum and its water source is Loch Uigeadail, after which one of its famous releases is named.
50.2% ABV
70cl
