Ardbeg Ardcore

Well, it's definitely Ardbeg, it's got savory brine, plenty of peat, smoke, pepper, and smoked meat/smoked fish. But I also get dark chocolate, some dark fruit(in a high quality chocolate way, not a sherry way), coffee grounds, maybe even a hint of pear. I also get burnt bread in the finish, but not necessarily in a bad way. They really must have burnt some of their malt to a crisp. This is definitely different, while being very recognizably Ardbeg. I like this - it's a really interesting direction, and I think that there is more for Ardbeg to explore here. Here's hoping for a version 2.0 at some point down the line.

The nose starts with lemon lime soda, black pepper and burnt rubber then dark chocolate covered espresso beans, vanilla extract and ocean brine followed by sour apple, mango and plantain chips that transitions to candied ginger and gauze bandages with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a thin mouthfeel starting with lemon lime soda, black pepper and burnt rubber before a mild spice that slowly fades to a spicy dark chocolate mocha, vanilla extract and ocean brine followed by charred pineapple, dehydrated mango and plantain chips that transitions to powdered ginger and gauze bandages with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with black pepper, espresso grounds, mango, sour apple, ocean brine and light ashy oak. Ardbeg labeled this Ardcore but for me this really comes off better labeled Ardbore as it's an enjoyable dram that balances notes of sour citrus, tropical fruits, earthy spices, ocean brine and mild peat but it's unfortunately rather mellow with thin flavors and suffers from a youthful astringency that finishes rather bitter with light citrus and ash. If this is what biting into a spiky ball tastes like then it's not an experience that I'm particularly fond of and at the price of $120 per bottle, I'd much rather buy a Wee Beastie that a side by side with Ardcore revealed that Wee Beastie is far better balanced along with richer and bolder flavors for less than half the price of Ardcore.

My last whisky in Ardbeg's distillery was their newest expression, the Ardcore. This one honours punk rock music and attitude, and it has been distilled from Black Roasted Barley, which is a new experiment from Bill Lumdsen. Of course, as most Ardbeg Day expressions, this one has a Committee release as well, bit this review is for the normal one. Bottled at 46%abv. On the nose, it feels yeasty and spongy. Beer and Chocolate. Not much else, but nice. On the palate, it follows the same rythm, there is this Chocolate and Vanilla note that is mixed with some salty yeast. Aftertaste is the best part. A smoke explosion. Beer and yeasty. Salty. It feels like charcoal smoke and charcoal rocks. Nice. Overall, this is not the best Ardbeg out there. I thought my palate and nose were a little off, then i went online and i found a bit of backlash against this one. Even Ralfy is criticizing it. I don't think it is a bad dram, just a little simple, straightforward and not full of complex notes. My score for it is a dissapointing 83 over 100.

Young. Aggressive. Peat. Lingering spice. Not much complexity, but perhaps that's the point.

Nose is like other ardbeg, smoke, medicine, seaweed. Taste is quite different though, light smoke and salt, citrus, caramel/toffee. Finish is unique, coffee, charred meat (or something charred?), more citrus. Expensive bottle $120 for me, but worth a try, good for a special occasion

Nose has a clean fresh smell, a zesty lemony with a hint bakeshop. (I struggle!) Floral citrus notes,a little alcohol heat, super light peat, barely present. Finish the brine rolls in strong, with a peaty smoke flowing in. Some pepper, some lemon twist, light vanilla and salt. Not saltwater like other Ardbegs. Very good. This is not your dads Ardbeg. I still prefer the 10, a welcome different experience.