Generously_Paul
Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
March 25, 2017 (edited December 6, 2020)
Stop number 11 on the SDT is Ardbeg. I reviewed Corryvreckan a little over a year ago and I'm excited to put it to the test once more. Bottled at a whopping 57.1% ABV, this Islay single malt is non chill filtered and natural color of light amber. I believe it is matured in European oak casks.
Just pouring this liquid gold into the glass 2 feet from my face I can already smell the peat. The nose is just bursting with voluminous peat smoke. Like a peat bog that was once ablaze and now is smoldering, damp and thick after a heavy rain. Smoked meats, especially brisket. Briny sea air wafting over that peat bog. Old oak, old leather and sweet tobacco...it's like your Grandpa's old leather chair he sat in and smoked his pipe, just beautiful. If you can manage to work past the overwhelming peat smoke you will find dark stone fruits like black cherries and plums. Christmas fruitcake, dense and loaded with fruit and some dark chocolate on top. There are some sweet notes in there too like dates and some orchard fruits and oranges. There is a slight waxy note and perhaps even some fresh coffee grounds. I could nose this for hours and, like the whirlpool it was named after, get lost in its swirling magnificence.
The palate is a big blast of smoky peat with more of those smoked meats. Strong and full bodied, hot at first from the higher ABV but very drinkable at the same time. Some oak and tobacco as well. Dark dried fruits and fruitcake. Not much after that, the peat smoke just dominates so much it's hard to get much else, but I'm not complaining!
Oily, creamy, smooth and mouthwatering. The finish isn't long...it's eternal. Do not attempt another tasting after Corryvreckan, it won't be fair to the next dram in line. Dry with more brisket and fruitcake.
This is my 11th review from my Scotch Distillery Tour and it couldn't be more fitting because this scotch goes to 11! If the tour ended here and I couldn't drink anything else I would not be upset. It's just that good. Well worth the price (about $90 locally). Some people say the Uigeadail is better than the Corryvreckan, if that's true I think my head will explode from pleasure. I have a bottle and will open it eventually and find out for myself. Until then I think I will chip away at the bottle I have. This review came from a sample provided by Scott. Thanks Scott, this made my day. 5 out of 5. Cheers my friends!
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
I keep hearing that about the Uigeadail and I will find out for myself eventually. I don't add water to the Corryvreckan because for me it doesn't need it. Perfect the way it is
The Uigeadail is so much better! Corryvreckan is too heavy-handed in comparison. I think you need some water to it. Uigeadail is perfect neat, and probably the best bottle I've ever ever owned.
Haven't tried it yet. Because of this Distillery Tour we started I haven't been opening anything new other that what's part of the tour.
Great review -- did you ever end up trying Uigeadail? I have had both, but years apart, and I have a vague sense that Uigeadail is better because of the stronger sherry notes that balance out the heavy hitting smoke.
Meh, it's alright... 😜
Corry is a classic----probably top 5 all time, and a price where you don't have to get a 2nd mortgage.
If you're a peat head like me you can't go wrong with this one.
Makes me want to run to the store for a bottle. Nice review.
Great review! Glad you enjoyed this "to 11!". You cannot go wrong with the Ardbeg core range. All three are reasonably priced and always the best of Ardbeg, in my opinion.
Definitely some good stuff!
Well done!