I’ve heard some big things about this monster of a dram. 57.1% ABV, phew this is likely going to rock my socks off, and I’d expect nothing less from a whisky named after a freaking whirlpool. N: Wonderfully phenolic, bold, and rich. There is a well balanced intensity of a rotisserie chicken, creamy butter, some pine, fresh cold maritime air mingles with light herbal smoke and tarry-antiseptic. Beautiful. P: Intensely ashy arrival with a healthy creamy backdrop. Lemon, a little anise, charcoal. Big dry-oakiness, dark fruit compote adds a vaguest hint of sweetness, espresso, bacon grease. There is almost too much going on here, spices are punchy and the thread of antiseptic that runs through everything does a remarkable job of keeping everything tied together. The smokiness is vibrant and somewhat piney/menthol. Monster of a palate. F: Long. Warming, lemon, cocoa powder, cinnamon and pepper, salty smoke. Deliciously dry. I’ve hit this with about a teaspoon of water and let it sit for few minutes. The nose softens and brings the smoke forward with the antiseptic moving into sinus opening menthol territory, saltiness dials up a little. The palate loses a little spice, charcoal comes through and the lemon heads towards the territory of a sharp mandarin. Fruity dark sweetness unfolds into some cherry and blackcurrant. The finish loses a little dryness. Cripes, I knew this would be a heavy hitter but I wasn’t expecting to actually get sucked into a whirlpool. This is an unrelenting monster that doesn’t stop coming at you with waves of flavours and textures. Heavy hitting notes are tempted by a surprising softness and just enough sweetness to keep it approachable, and at times even delicate. Well played Ardbeg, that was delicious. Distiller whisky taste #225 [Pictured here with another wee beastie, apparently that will now be the Ardbeg rock theme. This beastie is from the genus Cyphaspis, a 395 Ma trilobite that called the ancient sea floor of what is now Erfoud in Morocco home. The name cyphaspis means ‘devil horned’ in reference to its long spines, the purpose of which are still not understood. The physiological features of these devil horned beasties means they were fast carnivores.] Ardbeg running scores: Ardbeg 10: 4.25/5 Wee Beastie: 3/5 Corryvreckan: 4.5/5