Ardbeg Ardbog

N: light, some fermented fruits M: vanilla, pepper

Interesting sweet smoke barbecue and sherry flavor profile Nose: Raisins, Figs, Dates, Plums, Sultanas, Salted Caramel, Bananas, Coconuts, Pineapple Syrup, Mackerels, Salted Cod, Smoke, Walnuts, Hazlenuts, Blue Cheese Palate: Raisins, Dates, Luxardo Cherries, Salted Beef, Barbecue Pork Ribs, Figs, Iodine, Dark Chocolate, Hazelnuts, Mocha Finish: Raisins, Smoked Chocolate, Salted Toffee, Prunes, Dates, Salted Cod, Bacon, Licorice, Cinnamon

A completely different Ardbeg, but unlike the "Blasda" expression, this time they got this one right. The 2013 Feis isle bottling, Ardbeg Ardbog is honouring islay's peat bogs, peat that has been formed for thousands of years, and maybe, just maybe your are drinking particles of a T-rex in this whisky. Bottled at 52.1%abv, golden color, this single malt has been matured in Bourbon and Manzanilla Sherry casks. On the nose, some crazy Ardbeg aroma notes. The first aroma is an arab rug. Caramel, mint and wet soil. Polystyrene foam (plume), an amazon box, shoe box, silicon pad, rubber and soccer socks. Yes, all that and it was great. On the palate it was absolutely surprising. Incredibly citric, speciallu for an Ardbeg, the flavor notes are tangerine, grapefruit, gooseberries. A second sip gave me orange, milk chocolate, salty water. A third sip gave me more!, coffee and oranges. Aftertaste was out of this world. Starts with a vanilla fondant, to then release a tiny demon from your guts, that rises after 10 seconds, leaving a sulphuric finish. Pepper. In Conclusion, an incredibly interesting whisky, totally different than other Ardbegs, this one is actually easier to drink. I loved it, loved the marketing, loved the overall feeling of it. Nowadays it is a little expensive, but it is still worth it. My score for it, is 100 over 100. Sláinte!

Simply one of the best whiskies I’ve ever had. Peat is there but a bit muted compared to other Ardbegs. There’s a great balance of rich sweetness and smoke. The finish is long.

Super smooth, no bite, full bodied finish