Ardbeg Wee Beastie

O to the hunt! A “wee” beastie indeed, lighter in the body than I expected, but just as smoky. Expecting a boar and instead found a bobcat, the scratch of the smoke is deep and thin not a goring tusk. Of course, the greater the anticipation the greater the disappointment.

A friend of mine grabbed this for me when these first came out and were flying off the shelves. It’s been open ever since and so probably about time to give it a review now that it’s around a half bottle left. The nose starts with a vintage Shelby Cobra showing off by burning rubber and doing donuts on fresh tarmac by the ocean. After the car show, you’re treated to some grilled tropical fruit salad (mango, pineapple, papaya), then vanilla cream pudding finishing with ginger, Neosporin and fresh band aids with a mild burn. The taste is a rich oily mouthfeel starting with poached pears, vanilla creme brûlée then burnt tire smoke followed by dark chocolate covered candied ginger and chili pepper then medium oak tannins and a medium ethanol burn that finishes short with ginger, sea salt, chili pepper, still smoking campfire ashes, dark chocolate and sweet vanilla cream. For its age, I was expecting a bit more of a peat bomb but am happy with the outcome on this one. It’s another nice addition to Ardbeg’s core line, but I just can’t help but feel like this will be my only bottle of it as I’d rather pay up for a Corry or Oogie.

Nose: bandaid, heavy smoke, peat Taste: smoky, moderate peat, astringent/drying

Open Date 2-17-2012 Tasting date 5-17-2021 This is my 3rd review and after 3 months being opened and @ 1/4 bottle left it has finally opened up to an acceptable taste profile for mu palate . But still I will say again...... Why would I buy this young newmake when I can buy Ardbeg 10 for the same price that blows this away by a large margin? I'm just hoping this lower quality product isn't in place to replace the 10 year old. That would be a tragedy against mankind! Buy again? = No way!

Peaty, Briny, Sweet, Tar, Slight Bandaid taste, delicious! #WWD