Ardbeg Drum (2019 Committee Release)

I really enjoyed this. It is definitely not an everyday sipper, rather something to be savored when the mood is right. I don’t think that the rum cask influence is too strong, but you can definitely taste it. To me this pairs nicely with the Ardbeg smoke and gives a new twist on the ‘sweet peat’ that I enjoy so much.

Too much rum influence for my tastes.

@Richard-ModernDrinking and I had a tasting last night where we shared a few drams with each other. This was my 2nd best of the night, out of 12. The only one in the tasting that was better was a 10 yr old Macallan from the 80s. This was amazing—-smoky, resinous, pine and sweetness. Just absolutely memorable. If it’s still available and reasonably priced, you wont go wrong getting it. Thanks Richard for sharing this!

Here’s a fun nose: bananas, caramelized sugar, vanilla and a hint of extinguished flames - in short, Bananas Foster. Take a sip or scoop up a helping with your pudding spoon and you’ll be rewarded with a rich and creamy mouthfeel and a hint of bananas, before it turns more typically Ardbegian with a dusting of dark chocolate. The finish is long and sweet, like a slice of pineapple in melting vanilla ice cream. A splash of water brings out some peaty spice - let’s call it nutmeg to continue the dessert theme. This is another delicious twist on Ardbeg, but unlike previous releases I can’t imagine myself finishing a bottle any more than I can imagine eating all the Bananas Foster in New Orleans. Actually, I can imagine the latter, but it doesn’t end well. It would make a great substitute for a dessert wine and a sweet gift for a dinner party, but overall I’d say this is a must try rather than a must buy.