Ardbeg Dark Cove (2016 Committee Release)

Nose - Lightly earthy, briny salty sea smoke, tiny hint of fresh rubber, hint of dark chocolate cocoa nibs, burnt/caramelized raisins. Taste - Beach campfire smoke, like a campfire that has lightly damp seawater soaked wood, briny dark chocolate covered raisins, hint of rubber, dark red wine poached prunes, white pepper/cayenne pepper spice tingle. Finish - Lingering salty sweet smoke, peppery tingle, salty sweet bitter chocolate. Score - 76/100 Final Thoughts - This is a more tolerable peated Scotch for me. Not being a huge fan of peated whiskies in general, this was a very drinkable dram, although I have to be in the mood for it. It's like being on a beach near the sea with a campfire, with a charcuterie spread of smoked ham, smoked salty aged cheeses, dark chocolate, and dark dried prunes and raisins. The peat is very tolerable in this one, but the lingering salt is a bit off-putting and I think for me, this would be my last or second to last dram of the night in order to cut back on the smoked salt finish.

"This is such a perfect drink with this cold nor'easter pounding central NJ outside. This is a very different Ardbeg compared to others. Either way...an Ardbeg is an Ardbeg, and in the words of McDonald's...." I'm lovin' it". Salty, peaty, with a kick of toffee. Thanks to ModernDrinking for the sample!"