Tastes

I’d initially thought this was better than the GR and maybe it is ever so slightly. But the proof doesn’t overcome the fatal flaw of the execution of the concept. It’s young, all over the place, and just not pleasant to drink. What’s even worse is you can’t really give it any style points for trying something different. It just ends up tasting like licking the bottom of a really old ash tray that also had bubble gum or something in it. Glad I only got a half bottle. I’d only stumbled upon these special releases a few years ago as I was new to scotch but of course heard about the legend of the alligator, and I’ve been lucky enough to have quite a few of the old special releases since tasting this. All I have to say by way of comparison is, this ain’t no dark cove.

Solid. Glenlivet bourbon notes of shortbread, vanilla and baking spice but mildly turned up with the decent age statement and proof. I’d buy another at $50-60. I’d like to see more like this from Glenlivet.

Dry, vegetal peat, wine finish really adds an interesting layer and complexity to the base peat bomb of port Charlotte.

Tar and iodine, fire smoke lightened by some dark fruits. Wood spice is there, punched up by the char. Takes a bit of water quite well, taming down the dragon flames.

Enjoying this one. Lots of cinnamon and baking spice. Heat but not overbearing.

Layered. Excellent. Salty, peppery, dark fruits, tangy, limestone.

I might need to raise this score upon further reflection. It smells and tastes divine: springbank barnyard funk rested for 18 years in bourbon and sherry casks. It tastes old. Musty. Ripe red fruits. Juicy and long aftertaste. The price for this is all over the place which is the only qualifier in my review. If you can get this at retail anywhere less than $200 it’s a steal. But if you are thinking of paying more, I’d buy 2 12yr cask strengths or 3-4 10yrs instead. It’s a big step up from the 15 but the price is getting ahead of itself in the US at least.

Nose: salt, orchard fruits and a hint of citrus (lime). Buttery popcorn. Palate: apples, malt, acidic citrus. Mild curdled yoghurt funk comes out in the development. Medium finish, mild alcohol burn due to the proof. May need to open this up a bit and/or add a few drops of water to let more tastes surface.

Disappointed by this. I’ve come to enjoy if not love the annual special releases as they allow Ardbeg an opportunity to showcase a different take on their ashy, smoky base spirit. I was very excited when they announced this release as I’d never had alligator but heard plenty of good things about it. It falls flat right out of the gate. Not a lot going on with the nose, you get some of the Ardbeg smoke with a hint of sweet bbq char. The arrival on the tongue is thin and muted when I was expecting perhaps an overly rowdy dram. It sits on the tongue a bit but fades quickly. Sweet bbq continues through the finish but it’s mild. They say happiness is reality minus expectations. And mine were set too high. I’ve come around a little on this since my first few disappointing tastes, and see some of the merits. The committee release was better IMO. I’ll be reviewing that separately but this is the rare case where I think the CR is clearly superior to the GR.