Ardbeg Ardbog

Nose: ripe strawberries, white almonds, then an old peat, feels mature, medicinal, moss, sweet rich sherry aromas, fresh cut pine tree wood - it is intense for sure. The peat is a little different to regular Ardbegs which is probably because of the interesting manzanilla sherry casks they matured it in for 10 years. It is very good. Later a lot of vanilla with a bid of lemon, butter pie, dry grass and syrupy sherry. Palate: prickly, cold and acidic, then right away a cold ash note appears - still somehow unlike what I know from regular Ardbegs. Fruity fresh and slightly sweet, then yellow fruits (peaches and that sort) as well as a bunch of citrus fruits, wood chips and fresh resin. Very much alive, super present and vibrant. Finish: strong and flavorful, intense and forever ongoing, apples, vanilla. Slightly wood-bitter. Water makes the nose less peaty but sweeter - reminds me of creamy sweetened condensed milk. This whisky makes for a very exiting and interesting dram. So intense and colorful in its aromas and flavors. I had it before in a pub some months ago and remember liking it slightly better, so I am looking forward to how it develops over time.

Salty popcorn initially on the nose. Also dry cat food. Not as peaty as expected. Old peaches, polished leather, then it gets syrupy sweet, damp hay. Very round and well balanced. Dry and sweet ashy peat on burned caramel, still very fruity (squishy ripe fruits). It really reminds me of the Uigeadail. The nose is a bid different but the palate is a more intense version of the Uige.

Great ardbeg. @tony