Ardbeg Blaaack (2020 Committee Release)

Heavy on the peat, relatively smooth. Nice little dram. Would have liked a little more seaweed/salt.

Close to peated perfection...

Not sure why but don't dig it

Nose: Unmistakably Ardbeg on the nose, although a good bit sweeter than the standard 10y/o. Brine and peat upfront, but with a lot of fruit - plum & apple - and a hint of cooking bacon. Palate: This is like a slightly tamed Ardbeg. It's a good deal sweeter than the standard, with some red wine thrown into the normal peat smoke and vegetal notes. A little more salt and pepper as it mellows, perhaps with some madiera cake and chocolate right at the end. Finish: Very long, smoky - less so than the 10y/o - still sweet from the red wine influence with pepper, liquorice and ginger. Overall, I really like this dram. It's not as wild and in your face as the standard 10y/o, and is somewhat tamed by the red wine influence. Absolutely lovely!