Ardbeg An Oa

It's unlike other Ardbegs in the lack of deep, rich smoked veg....but that's ok with me. The aromas and underlying peat is there from the start but it takes a minty mouthwash turn...still ok with me. There's a dry, chocolate or brownie hit that mixes and becomes a peppery butterscotch. The sharpness of the light sherry tang washes through then it rolls onto a really mellow Ardbeg finish. The sherry is the last thing that remains on the very back of my tounge, an almost artificial sweetener taste, perhaps my only complaint. For $60 I appreciate where this takes you. It's different from most Islay and especially Ardbeg. I'd say if you have the extra $20 grab Uigeadail, one of the greatest tastes to ever touch my lips...but On Oa is a solid, lighter Islay.

Mellowed version of the 10. Camp fire smoke and roasted nuts.

More sweetness and less of the menthol, camphor, bandaid of The Ardbeg 10.

This is a classic Islay roller coaster ride. Pear smoke, iodine and spice notes are all exactly as you expect, but then it drops into dark chocolate and sherried fruit notes. Wet forest vegetation, salt mist air and wood smoke on the palate. The finish is classic Islay. Lengthy and very complex. Well balanced.