Ardbeg Perpetuum

Let me start by saying I love Ardbeg. I think this is a solid offering and hope to continue to see it in stores. Classic ardbeg smoke with brine on the nose. Perpetuum has this creamy undertone that makes it different from a lot of ardbegs, softens it a bit. The palate definitely has some sweatness and it compliments the smoke so well. All of the classic ardbeg on the palate you would want, with a gentle lingering creaminess that leaves you craving more.

This limited release from 2015 is supposedly a mix of "very old" and "very young" whiskies. I traded for a sample of the distillery release, which as the name suggests was available only at Ardbeg and in more limited quantities than the other version of Perpetuum (which also was a few points less alcoholic). So this review is for a slightly different version (this Distiller page is for the 47% percent version, the one I tried was 49.2%). After this sample, I like it but don't love it -- it feels like a slightly smokier and much more expensive Ardbeg 10. The nose is dominated by smoke and wood, so it almost smells like the inside of a longstick matchbox and spent embers from a fire. The only other note I detect is pepper. The palate is also peppery and smoky, although it has more sweetness, hay, and citrus than the nose. The finish is peppery and smoky, with a mouthful of oats at the end.