Ardbeg An Oa

Nose: sea, jodium, saline Taste: smoke, salt, smoke,

(Ardbeg parallel tasting of the An Oa, the Uigedail and the Corryvreckan.) Subtle yet very characteristic Ardbeg-peat on the nose with the fantastic signature smokiness along strong walnuts, peaches, sweet crackers, harvested grain and straw - all with a fresh breeze of salted sweet smoke. It is light and very delicious on the nose. Equally gentle and non-aggressive on the palate. Due to it liquid viscosity it delights you with a nice but cold ashy barbecue sweetness. Then some granola bars flavors with vanilla along a mild dried fruit mix. It all comes together in a nice warming finish. I really enjoy this one and that is for the very reason that it is in my opinion the most compatible and likable Islay peat whiskies that potentially could be liked by a lot of people who aren’t fond of Islay peat. I crown it the Islay-Peat-Gateway-Dram. Yes, there are a lot more intense and aromatic Ardbegs for sure and even the 10y goes deeper in some regards but I surprisingly don’t really feel like missing something here. I really like it.

Smoky, rich...my fav right now

Initial nose is salami, cured meat, salty but underlying sweet notes of walnut and candied orange zest. Initial impression is very Ardberg but very different underneath Taste is peat, smoke, salty meat but given time beautiful walnut, herbal notes ( sweet gale - porse snaps paa rakler) and floral. I really didn’t care for this Oa when I tasted first time, but it is growing on me significantly with a surprising sweetness if you allow the taste to settle ...