@Soba45 Maybe an older production bottle? My last one before the current bottle was bought in 2015, bottled in 2014, and it was still in fine form. I think the current drop in quality happened quite recently and very abruptly.

@PBMichiganWolverine Well, some distilleries like Ardbeg, Highland Park and Macallan will always sell their products, no matter how low the intrinsic quality. Isn't this the whole point of websites like Distiller, spotting them, and of course those who deserve more attention as they currently have? Probably I should get myself a dram of JW Blue Label to ponder about this ;)

@Slainte-Mhath wait, why is that? They (Ardbeg) can even put out a whisky mixed with chicken piss and matured in barrels that once held slugs, and they’d still sell out well over asking price

@cascode I am still waiting to open my bottle of Uigeadail bought in early 2017, and I hope the quality is still there. Ardbeg 10, I'd still consider buying, but I am overall disappointed of the direction this distillery is heading as this moment in time.

Haven't tried the Uggy for couple of years but the Corry I had a couple of weeks ago I really enjoyed. Hopefully a dip and a rebound is the story...or maybe I got lucky :-)

@Slainte-Mhath Sadly, I have to concur, and I'll be adjusting my previous rating here down to 3 as well. A couple of weeks ago I picked up a bottle each of Corryvrecken and Uigeadail as they were on special at my favourite whisky store. Both have slipped, compared to where they were even just a couple of years ago - the Uggy a bit, the Corry dramatically. The 10 year old is the only thing I'd touch from Ardbeg at the moment, and given how many interesting smokies there are from other distilleries it's hard to justify that one either.

@Reverend45 that’s probably because they are refilling the bottles with water at the end of the night lol

@Reverend45 It's always good to try a malt before buying a bottle. Maybe you enjoy this, maybe you don't. Just find out for yourself :)

@Reverend45 - Back so soon? I wouldn’t let this review dissuade you. Drinking Islay whisky is a science unto itself. I just finished my best bottle of Laga16 ever, in the tropical climate of southern Florida. Rich and smokey as hell. I brought it down from the same case I’ve been working on with different results up north. For me, I’m sure it has something to do with different allergens and their effect on phenols. Also, my best Islay experiences have always been in restaurants. I attribute this to the sense of smell for phenols being stimulated by the variety of aromas floating around. Lastly, if you want consistency with your favorite whisky, then start drinking blends because there will always be batch variations with single malts.

I’ve not tasted this on for some time but I can believe it might have slipped. The Uggy certainly has.

@LeeEvolved I have a gut feeling that Ardbeg is trying to pursue 'the Lagavulin 8 yo strategy' with An Oa: placing it on the market, see how it goes and eventually discontinue or premiumize Ardbeg Ten. Since this is their only core range expression with an age statement, I do believe it is time to loudly critize Ardbeg's marketing - while there is still a chance.

@Slainte-Mhath - while I did truly enjoy the An Oa on its own merits, I also feel like ending the Ardbeg 10 would be a travesty. That single malt is an icon for the distillery, and Islay as a whole. While I don’t think I can write off the distillery- they are just too good at what they do- I feel your frustration and even understand your position. It may be warranted, I just couldn’t quit Ardbeg. Here’s to hoping the elimination of the 10 doesn’t happen. I like the An Oa, BUT LONG LIVE THE TEN! Cheers, sir.

@Rick_M I am not the only one picking on them. If rumours are true and An Oa is supposed to replace Ardbeg Ten on the long run, I am done with that distillery.

I disagree with your rating but they do have a Louis Vuitton attitude at the distillery that is obnoxious, so I like it when you pick on them. :)

I hope it’s just a one off and not a general quality issue. This is a standard torch-bearer for affordable good Islay

The first bottle had to have been at least 3 years old but I suspect older. The second one I only got a sample of so I can’t speak to it’s age

@Generously_Paul How old were these bottles? I remember that some years back, the quality was still there. Seems to be a recent phenomenon - or maybe I simply don't like the dry- and bitterness of French oak? Who knows.

Someday I’ll buy another bottle to see if this is the case, but of the two bottles I have tried, both were spectacular.

Additional comment: I am fully aware that this Single Malt ranks among the 'best whiskies' on this webpage, so I tasted Corryvreckan several times before writing this review. During my online search, I came across other negative reviews (i.e. Serge Valentin's review @whiskyfun, 2 stars, 2016). I am convinced that the quality of this NAS expression is deteriorating, as yet another example of what happens when a distillery is overhyped. To quote Serge: 'I won't swap a case of this for one bottle of Ardbeg Ten!'