Ardbeg Wee Beastie

I saw this reviewed recently on the front page, and the consensus seemed to be that this was "too potent" for most. I don't believe I'm out of line when I say I am ready for this Scotch to secure the blindfold and work it's reach on me. So, knowing that the age is really the only differing factor here versus other Ardbeg products, I figured I wouldn't get much difference on the scent, but really only the taste. However, although the nose does differ with notes of saltwater, honey, and mineral, it's shockingly more "sticky" than other Ardbeg offerings. What I mean is, even though I can smell my glass a mile away (which is usual), the scent drifts up my nose and lodges itself into my brain, really securing the peat and changing the way it's ever been perceived. Going in, the ethanol hits the nose, which delivers more peat backbone before it ever touches the lips. Upon first taste, the saltiness is what's first detected, although it's not stronger than usual, just easier to find. The honey and cereal from usual Ardbeg tastes are still there, but they get drowned out almost immediately by an unrefined ethanol finish. As I once predicted, it's not that the peat or smoke is any stronger in this version, but that it's simply not mellowed out in the barrel, which seems obvious. It's a nice flavor is have in the bar, especially when comparing it to other Ardbegs or Scotch. Not sure if it could really work in any cocktails, but that's probably not what the Ardbeg fellas ever had in mind. In the end, I certainly feel way more taken by the smoke with this entry, but it's mostly found in the nose and temples than through the palate.

The other day, I happened upon a comparison of the Wee Beastie with Arbeg 10 on Eric Wait's YouTube channel.  Perhaps the most telling statement in his ten minute clip (slightly paraphrased) - "You should compare these to whiskies side-by-side...you'll appreciate the 10 more than ever."  An interesting observation, and one that didn't inspire me to race out to snag a bottle of the Beastie.  Fortunately, I didn't have to, thanks to a sample I received this week, kindly provided by @pbmichiganwolverine. Yes, the Beastie pumps out smoke like a huge mound of scrap tires in a backwoods junk yard after a lightning strike.   There's more to it than that - some bitter dark chocolate, vanilla, pepper, salt, and a touch of fruitiness, but those notes are relatively restrained and don't  offset the peat and smoke.  That contrasts with the 10, which I find to be more refined and balanced.  Perhaps most importantly, young heavily peated drams sometimes leave me with a note that's akin to chlorine.  I get that note here.  It's not awful, but it's not something I find at all in the 10, where the peat is simply beautiful.  Still, the Beastie and the 10 are unmistakenly siblings; the additional five years of aging results in a nice evolution, not a transformation. I consumed my sample over two nights, and rewrote this review no less than a half-dozen times as I pondered two questions: First, do I agree with Eric Wait? And second, would I recommend this whisky? With respect to the first question, the additonal refinement and balance of the 10 is what I would expect for a whisky that's been aged for 10 years versus 5.  But the 10 also improves on the Beastie more than the $5-10 price differential (at least currently in my market) suggests.  Keeping in mind this is Ardbeg 10 we're talking about, the fact that I've twice described it as refined is telling.  Perspective is everything.  To answer the second question, if you're interested in a huge smack of peat and you don't mind the youthfulness, this could be the dram for you.   For me, the Beastie begins to venture past enjoyably aggressive territory to punishingly aggressive.  For that reason, I'd happily spend a few extra bucks to get the 10.  There are other heavily peated whiskies in the same price range in my locale that I'd also choose instead, namely, Lagavulin 8 and Talisker Storm.   Having said that, I may pick up a bottle.  Drinking it alongside the 10 is a very interesting tasting experience, and one I'd like to revisit in the future.  Thanks @pbmichiganwolverine for the pour!