Ardbeg Wee Beastie

First off, I’m a HUGE Ardbeg fan. This dram is just another reason to be. Look - beautiful light amber color, like apple juice. Slow thin legs as I expect from an oily scotch like this. They don’t disappoint. Nose - the most predominant aroma is that of lightly smoked meats, like a salami or a prosciutto, and it is accompanied by a beautiful, round sweetness like warm chocolate. Something sharp hides just out of sight, maybe a spice of some sort that I can’t identify. Alcohol isn’t overwhelming at around 47% but you can’t discard its presence. Taste - opens up very softly, not as rash as I would have figured from such a young whisky. Saltiness and the ocean greenery clash suddenly and dominate the tongue, I’ve never had seaweed but this is what I imagine it would taste like. Disappears slowly, fantastic mouth feel - not too thick but not fleeting - then dissipates into something slightly floral. Overall - a very good purchase. Potentially a good introduction to the bold flavor profile of Ardbeg expressions. Reasonably priced as well! Though I’m from Alabama so anything not from a package store is usually well priced. Will definitely ask my local store to keep these on the shelf!

A surprise win for a young Islay scotch. Huge fan of the whole Ardbeg line and have most in my normal rotation, and Wee Beastie is certainly a welcome addition. For $45, its a no brainer if you're into big, meaty, peaty whisky. Sweeter than other other Ardbeg, perhaps thanks to the sherry influence? Worth the money, worth a try.

Nose is brine; smoke, bbq meat; chocolate, and candy sweetness. Taste is briney seaweed, peat phenols, smoke, and a sweetness I can’t pick out. Finish is smoke and salt. Wonderful expression, I am excited to try this against other heavily peated islay scotches to find the subtleties.

Big and smokey as you'd expect from such a young expression from Ardbeg. The fruit and spice notes from the sherry make an appearance and really balance the flavor. A really enjoyable dram.

Nice to have an Ardbeg in the high $30s. Nothing outstanding or unique, but nothing to complain about either.

Finally saw this at Total Wine for $35 so had to. 10yr is about $10 more so comparison is needed. I will say the neck pour was like a scotsman in your face screaming loudly. Thats the aggressive nature of the hot smoky peat. It did mellow with air so waited to near bottle end for assessment. Poured neat nose is salted bacon fat and peanut butter. Throw in some volcanic ash and a bit of fresh malt and you're there. Palate is peaty malt with chili pepper and heavy charred barrel. A light sweetness works itself in but is always a bit player. It was much more smoke laden through the first half of bottle and spicy hot too. It calmed into a relatively drinkable Islay bargain. Finish is not as long as other contenders but still solid with standard smoke and drying malty wood notes. Overall a solid value and the new smoke & coke king. Nowhere near as complex and deep as other Ardbeg choices so you do get what you pay for here. A young raw somewhat flawed scotch that redeems itself with bold purity that you cant deny. I went back to back with the 10yr as my son was visiting and got me a bottle for fathers day....good kid. The 10 is more oily with greater complexity, richness , depth and sustain. Well worth the upcharge and makes a case for skipping wee beastie altogether. I contend this is not a dig on WB rather than a testament to how massively strong the 10 yr is. Imo this stuff is worth the purchase/repurchase especially if the 10 has a high cost spread in your region.

Nose is pungent, smoky and sweet. The palate is pretty sweet (expected given the young age), bit spicy with the traditional ardbeg smoke. The finish is medium and salty with hints of caramel.

Light and delicious like young dark cove.