Review #080 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 46% Comments: NAS, spirit made using roasted black malt, cask types not disclosed Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Pale straw color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 14/20 Nutty, earthy, and something that reminds me of a log of rotting wood. I’m also smelling spent coffee grounds, vanilla, and just a hint of smoldering embers, more of a burnt/charred smell than smoke. Palate: 27/40 Ashes, bitter baking cocoa, spicy oak tannins, black pepper, salt, and coffee grounds. It’s very mild compared to other Ardbeg’s I’ve tried. Finish: 30/40 Medium finish. Starts off with smoke, then a hint of lemon citrus cuts through and it becomes mildly sweet. Milk and honey maybe? It doesn’t last long, fading quickly to salt and more smoke, albeit milder now. The ending taste left behind is of a dark chocolate covered espresso bean, and this may be my favorite part of this dram. With Water: A couple drops of water brings out some nice maltiness on the nose and palate. Total: 71/100 Final thoughts: Overall this bottle ended up being a disappointment. Rather than a “spiky ball” as advertised, I find it to be very mellow and subdued compared to other Ardbeg’s I’ve tried. When I grabbed the last bottle on the shelf, I was thinking about other single malts I’ve enjoyed that used roasted chocolate malt and assumed this might be similar. Now after doing a little homework I know better, these are very different animals which produce wildly different flavors. It’s a decent bottle, but so many other superior ones for a better price that I’d rather spend my money on. In my opinion, this is probably the biggest disappointment yet of the Ardbeg special releases to date. Price: $115 Would recommend: no Would buy: no 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.