Review #077 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 47.4% Comments: aged 5 years, matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-oloroso sherry casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Russet color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 14/20 Vanilla, peat smoke, and lemon zest are most prominent. Some additional nosing also reveals some orange peel, molasses, and honey. Palate: 30/40 Oak spices and campfire smoke lead on the first sip. There’s also sweet honey, some vanilla, white pepper, and toasted bread. Finish: 31/40 Medium finish. Starts off with bold spicy oak tannins and black pepper. It becomes mildly salty throughout, fading from spice and pepper to bitter citrus notes, then becoming nutty, and eventually ending by leaving an ashy aftertaste behind. With Water: A couple drops of water emphasizes the honey sweetness on the palate and somewhat mutes the pepper and spice notes on the finish. Total: 75/100 Final thoughts: I’m actually very impressed with this bottle, for an Ardbeg it punches way above its price point. I think it’s better than a number of limited release expressions they’ve come out with. It’s not a whirlwind of complex flavors but it’s a solid dram at a good value. I actually bought this bottle with the intention of making some old fashioned cocktails with it. That said I’ve sipped my way through more than half the bottle already and haven’t tried one yet! Price: $40 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.