cascode
Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
April 30, 2017 (edited July 14, 2022)
UPDATED REVIEW 21 March 2018.
Having spent the last two weeks brooding over a new bottle of Corryvrecken I’ve decided to reduce my rating. However don't take that as a damning comment - I'm only talking about a reduction from "excellent" status to "very good".
Nose: The fearsome boldness has diminished and the central peaty quality has lost its oiliness and is now more of a dry and sooty smoke. There’s still vanilla, a touch of light fruitiness and some citrus – but it feels less commanding and rich.
Palate: There is still smoke and preserved lemons, but the oily quality and subtle resinous flavours are reduced. The mouthfeel is still very good but it is less intense.
Finish: Long. Still a protracted waxy, resinous fade, but softer and thinner - more like cold ashes with peppery spice.
"Very Good" : 85/100 (4 stars)
ORGINAL REVIEW:
Nose: Thick smokiness that is hard to penetrate, woody and strong peaty notes underneath. A certain crisp citrus note emerges after a while, together with brine and something astringent – like the smell of heavily brined green olives.
Palate: Smoky, oily, peaty arrival. In the development, preserved salt lemons, vanilla, tar, cedarwood, liquorice, fennel pickled onions and pine resin. Strong alcohol burn, even with water. The texture is full and oily, but cut with brine.
Finish: Long with some waxy/plastic peat which stays forever (honestly, don't even think of trying to taste anything else for a while after this). Initially there’s a salty sourness in the finish but the lasting memory is of sweet smoke.
I'd strongly recommend adding just a drop or two of water before nosing, and then a dash more before tasting. This is a very assertive dram and neat it is so overwhelming you can't appreciate its subtle notes, which are definitely there to enjoy.
I'd also recommend taking time over it, even though I suspect it contains a fair bit of relatively young whisky. Allowing it to develop in the glass brings out sweetness and tames the sharp resinous edge of the peat. Try it neat if you like that sort of smack in the face, but I don't think you can really get the best out of this whisky without water. Do take care, however, because it is surprisingly easy to drown.
"Excellent" : 88/100 (4.5 stars)
150.0
AUD
per
Bottle
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@PBMichiganWolverine It's wise to stock up when prices are decent. I bought to more bottles of the 18 yo Yamazaki for around 300 € each, but I am almost certain that this will double in the next 2-3 years. Yamazaki 25 yo is far beyond of what I could afford to pay, but at least I tasted it and kept a little sample for future reference.
@Slainte-Mhath yeah, you’re right—-it’s silly prices now. Fortunately, about 7 years ago, I had a pour of the Yamazaki 18 in a bar for a mere $4. I fell in love with it so much that I bought immediately a sherry cask, three 18s, two 12s, a mizunara cask, and a bourbon cask. All for less than $700. Now...just the 18 will run about $500
@PBMichiganWolverine Not a bad choice! I considered to mention Yamazaki as well, high quality but unfortunately very expensive.
@cascode @Slainte-Mhath For me personally, I’d say 1) Springbank 2) Lagavulin and 3) Yamazaki
@PBMichiganWolverine @cascode I can't argue with Springbank, that's definitely among the top 3 distilleries. I'd probably add GlenDronach and Bunnahabhain, as both of them rarely disappoint. I am also very fond of Lagavulin and Caol Ila, but there is room for improvement in their presentation (Diageo standards).
@PBMichiganWolverine Interesting question. 1) Springbank (which is God's Own Distillery and can do no wrong, and I'll cheat by including Glengyle as part of Springbank). 2) Glenfarclas. IMHO both these distilleries produce great expressions right throughout their range with no duds at all. 3) Balvenie or Laphroaig. Neither is perfect through their range, but close to it. Macallan still make some phenomenal whiskies, but their best is very expensive and the lower priced stuff can be a bit iffy. There are some distilleries I adore like Mortlach, Clynelish, and Glen Elgin but their production is limited to one or two expressions, and they are often best as independent bottlings. I also admire some of the smaller operations like Bruichladdich, Benromach and Kilchoman for their willingness to experiment, but their products are too inconsistent for me to put them in the top 3 (but in the top 12 for sure). What would you list as your top 3 quality distillers?
@cascode @Slainte-Mhath if you were to say your top 3 distilleries that put out what you think as quality Malts, which would it be?
And I was already wondering if I am the only one struggling with the quality of this malt...
Whisky police back at it. I like it! 👍
Nnnnnoooooooooooo!!!!! Say it ain’t so, this was my ultimate Islay. ☹️☹️
Updated and re-rated.