Ardbeg 10 Year

Nice briny nose of peat, oil, and varnish. Taste is definitely heavy on the peat as its reputation would suggest but it’s balanced by other flavors as well, maybe some meat and tar. The finish is fantastic and goes on and on. I would reach for the cup out of habit then realize I’m still enjoying the last sip. It moves into just enough spice to give you a nice tingle.

2022 WS

Pours a very lite straw color. Nose is (obviously) smokey, but also noticeable is that medicinal quality. The taste is not so much petey as it is ashy. Also notable after several sips is the wonderfully complimentary briny character. Has a pretty easy finish that allowed me to soak in the flavor. This is a remarkably easy sipper for something with such a pronounced pete odor/flavor.

Nose: Ashy smoke, waxy lemon zest, high notes of conference pear, even some floral notes. Palate: Oily mouthfeel but light body. Briny with some black pepper and a faint citrus rind. Some meatiness. Finish: Like the embers of a dying campfire the smoke lingers and slowly extinguishes.