Ardbeg Scorch (2021 Committee Release)

Relative to other Ardbegs, a bit disappointing. Big peat and ashy smoke, but can’t find much else.

I’m happy I waited a while before writing this review. The bottle on first opening was a mess, with no cohesive flavors or profile except sharp, bitter heat. Now, almost a year after opening, it seems to have settled down into a drink that resembles decent single malt, even if it doesn’t exemplify the standard. Nose is Ardbeg, but not obviously so. It’s missing the grassy hay notes I associate with the 10 year, but that’s okay because they are replaced with a nice meatiness. Think opening a pack of cold cut ham versus a slab of smoked pancetta. There’s also a whiff of bakery and sugar, like you’d get when popping the top off of a cake carrier. It’s not the most engaging, but it’s certainly not bad. Palate is still a bit scattered for me. When I take small sips, like i want to evaluate and pick apart the individual flavors, it feels thin and still a little hot and unrefined. There’s peat and iodine and rubber, which aren’t objectionable but quickly move to drying smoke and ash in a rather short finish. But when I take a large swig and swirl it around it displays a richness and depth that is quite nice. Cigar smoke, raw tobacco, and leather dominate, and the dry smoke is just a background taste that carries through to a medium-long, clean, finish. It’s not a bad drink in the least, but for just under $200 there are literally hundreds of others that are just as good or better, for much, much less. Try it if you can find it in a bar, but stick to the 10 year or Wee Beastie when you’re in the liquor store.

Peat on fire on the nose. Burnt wood. Super Smokey on the palate. Long smokey finish. Smoke smoke smoke. Wow!

Un nez puissant de bois brûlé, du miel, une longueur cendrée, une couleur plus foncée que le 10, de la tourbe fumée, mais beaucoup moins de gingembre citronné que le 10 ans pour l’accompagner, quelques abricots séchés, de la craie et de la minéralité. Somme toute, très plaisant, mais moins complexe et plus intense que le 10 ans.