Ardbeg Wee Beastie

Nose - brine then smoke, iodine, dark bitter chocolate, a bit grilled steak with black pepper Taste - vanilla sweetness at first and then some wet ashy smoke takes over, some bitter chocolate notes, a bit of brine Finish - sweet lingering smoke, a touch of bitterness in your tongue, nice medium burn

My first intro to Ardbeg. I love Laphroaig, so this is a slight comparison. Very meaty and hammy with the smokiness. Not as peaty as expected, but the fruity flavors and sweetness shine through. Bitey in the end. Maybe this is because the age. Very good but not great. I’ll have to try Ardbeg 10 next

I get the appeal, but it’s not for me. Smells like smoke and tastes like smoke and barbecued meat but also some sweetness like honey

Strong smoke, most rocks, raw sugar, and a hint of brine on the nose. Followed by the same smoke on the taste which gives way to some sweetness, perhaps apples, only to then have the smoke reassert itself in a leathery West in the finish. Curiously seems to not have the cooked meat note that many Ardbeg expressions have. A solid dram all around. It's Ardbeg 10 but with the volume turned up a bit.