Ardbeg 8 Year 'For Discussion' (Committee Release 2021)

Let's discuss it. The Ardbeg 8 year old is one of their newer expressions, and the first or second one if i am not mistaken from Ardbeg's new master distiller, who was a former Lagavulin whisky maker. This whisky labeled "for discussion" is bottled at 50.8%abv and it is a committee release. On the nose, it starts powerful with a crazy aroma note of "poviden" lotion; then it turns into a chocolate mixed with earthy mud. Creolin, ashtray, coal. After a first sip, the aroma released vanilla ice cream, gooseberries and prunes. There is some bacon note in there too. On the palate, it is a little simple, but as most Ardbegs, it manages to give you an interesting experience. Vanilla, sulphur, wet grass, salt. It feels like s swamp mixed with a sea wave. Aftertaste is peaty and very typical from this distillery. Peat, ashtray, bonfire. Salt and a permantent marker. Crazy but nice stuff. Overall, this felt a little crazier than most Ardbegs, but also lighter. You actually don't feel all the usual powerful roughness from this distillery. If you ask me, it is like an Ardbeg mixed with Lagavulin. A nice whisky that i believe can be even better with more maturation. My score for it is a fair 91/100.

Nose: Massive hit of tar and burning charcoal. Subtle molasses sweetness then leads into green herbs/vegetables. Palate: Intense pepper that hangs around throughout. Licorice/aniseed initially... then Menthol. The tar and charcoal revives itself here.. Finish: Short quickfire finish, not very intense like the Ardbeg of old. Interestingly minty. Leaves a very mineral-like dry mouth/throat feel. An interesting dram. Was expecting a more brash, explosive Peat-beast for an "immature" fairly young-aged Islay dram (think Ardbeg 5 y.o Wee Beastie, and even Lagavulin 8 y.o.) It's a nice, quirky dram but I wouldn't rate this with Ardbeg's best. As a Committee release, I feel that it doesn't deserve to become a mainstay in the Ardbeg core range.

Punchy, brisk and warm

Great aroma of gentle peat with lots of fruit, especially pears. A little bit thin on the palate, strong smoke in the aftertaste.

NOSE: peated, leather, tobacco, nuts, chocolate TASTE: tobacco, peated, soapy FINISH: nuts, peat, a bit of alcohol Very Ardbegy whisky, still an amazing selection!

Raisin and honey, yet somehow smoked kippers at tea time. Medicinal peat on the back of the palate.