Ardbeg Corryvreckan

Oh. My. I have fallen over the cliff into the full Islay addiction. Tonight I happened to find myself in an amazing whiskey bar where the $100 glasses of Pappy 20 yr. were not the most expensive thing on the menu. So I decided to see what all the fuss was about with the big peat monsters of Islay. After all, if I found out I hated it I hadn't lost much. Spoiler alert: I didn't hate it! I decided to go with what I thought was about the peatiest thing I could find on the menu: Laphroaig cask strength. As it turns out, they were out of that. The bartender recommended Ardbeg Corryvreckan. Since I know I've read great things about that whisky I figured ok I'll try it. Little did I know what lay before me on the road to Islay. This review is based on notes taken in a crowded noisy bar so it's probably not as complete as if I had done this tasting at home. The whisky is a light to medium gold color on the glass, couldn't see much in the way of legs. Corryvreckan clocks in at 57.1% ABV. I have no idea whether it has an age statement or not, I'm thinking not. On the nose it was quite underwhelming. Light smoke and peat with some light floral notes. No alcohol burn to speak of which is amazing considering the ABV. Just a nice smoky, slightly sweet scent. In the mouth it's a whole 'nother thing altogether! The heat and the smoke exploded in my mouth like a bomb. Not overpowering but just incredibly strong and mouth-filling. Smoke and ash, but in a good way. There was a slight honey sweetness behind the smoke that balanced it out almost perfectly. There was the expected alcohol burn but not as much as I would have thought from a dram with this much alcohol. Very manageable. Just incredible. The finish was fairly long with more of the smoke, turning into a BBQ meat flavor. Very nice. Overall this is just a about the best whisky I have had to date. I will definitely have to get a bottle of this sometime soon. After tasting this I am afraid I am headed down the path to the dark side of peated Scotch to be condemned to forever seeking the next level of peat and smoke. God help me! :) I give this whisky a solid 4.75/5. Slainte M'hath!

On the strong side for Ardbeg, but still great. Less salt, but more spice.

Chez moi

Nose - A little of everything, with that magic peat of course. Not nearly as much smoke as the Oogie, but I definitely get the cherries, the TCP/iodine. This one is at 57%, so just a wee little few drops of water will definitely do. If you don't mind the alcohol burn down the esophagus, it is VERY pleasant neat as well, but I want a smoother dram this time. Palate - very similar to what I get on the nose, but add in the brine, the seaweed, and ... what is that? Oh my, CALIENTE! Peppers out the ying-yang... chilis.. white pepper, black pepper.. "He's an pepper, she's a pepper, wouldn't ya like to be a pepper too?" Heh, old Dr. Pepper soft drink advert. Anyway, oooh nice finish, but a little dryer than I like usually, probably from all the heat. BUT, I am not complaining one bit. Some people like this more than the Oogie and vice versa. I have to say that I like both equally, and it just depends on the mood if you want a lot of smoke or not.

Peat, oil, smoke, salty sea, hints of dark fruit. Excellent.