Whiskey_Hound
Ardbeg An Oa
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
June 3, 2021 (edited June 5, 2021)
This was the last of Ardbeg's core range that I got to try. The Corry and Ugi are two of my all-time favorites, and you can never go wrong with 10 year. Those are some pretty loft standards, but I'll try to judge this on its own merits since it's very different from those other three on paper.
Nose: Sea salt, brine, iodine, band-aid, and heavy peat. Menthol. Tennis ball. Spearmint. Vanilla custard. Key lime pie. Grapefruit. Some black bean red pepper chili. Crispy bacon and turkey sausage. Nice combination of sweet, meat, and peat notes. Very nice nose.
Palate: Campfire smoke, peat, sea salt, and iodine. Tennis ball. Grapefruit and lemon. Agave. Milk chocolate and caramel. Vanilla custard. Black bean red pepper chili. Red hot tamales.
Finish: Ash, sulfur, and campfire smoke. Black bean red pepper chili. Some of the meaty notes with some sea salt and brine. Grapefruit. Milk and dark chocolate. Bacon. Medium length. Solid.
Ardbeg always delivers. This is probably my least favorite of the core range, but the Corry and Ugi outshine just about anything and the 10 probably gets a close nod. The cask combination works beautifully here. New charred oak, PX quality, and first fill Bourbon casks play so well with the heavy peat.
It's a respectable 46.6% ABV for $70. It lacks the power and depth of Corry and Ugi or the brash spirit of the 10, but it's worth its salt nonetheless. I said it already but the cask combination and heavy peat provide great synergy and the product is a damn fine dram.
70.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@Whiskey_Hound I just saw the Scorch on shelf here for $179. I think this is the first time in years I passed on an Ardbeg special release. I’ve been disappointed in the last few versus the price point.
@PBMichiganWolverine While I may still chase those for to chase those down, but I know from experience that the core range is king. Especially Ugi and Corry. @ctbeck Thanks! Like @ContemplativeFox said, you're better off with Corry and Ugi. I have them flipped personally but I know I'm in the minority. Glad I finally got around to this one though
@ContemplativeFox Absolutely. Thank you. It’s probably about time to line up another swap.
@ctbeck11 I have it, Uigy, and Corry all on my shelf right now. Uigy and Corry are close to each other, but this is way behind. I'd be happy to set aside a sample of it for you if you'd like :)
Great review. This one just hasn’t excited me enough to purchase. Hoping to find it at a bar one day.
Took me a while, but I firmly believe Ardbeg is at its best in the core ranges. Don’t go chasing their limited or Feis Ile releases...those are overpriced and still inferior to the core