LeeEvolved
Ardbeg Twenty Something 23 Year
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
September 15, 2018 (edited April 21, 2024)
So, I opened this bottle way back in April, prior to Whiskyfest DC, as part of our hotel room bottle share. I figured we needed some high quality whisky to pregame for the festival. I bought this bottle last winter when it was initially released and I paid $600 to get my hands on one. I bought a second bottle about 3 months later after the initial craze died down, but I still paid $500 for it. Was it worth it? Let’s see...
This bottle is not a continuation of the series Ardbeg started in 2016 with the 21 Year Old (as rumored). This was different stock they found onsite. It’s a blend of traditional ex-bourbon aged and ex-sherry cask aged. The 21 year was old stock bought back from an independent bottler. This 23 is bottled at 46.3% and is new gold in color and creates tons of skinny, fast running legs in the Glencairn.
The nose had some incredible sherry sweetness right out of the gate. The smoke melded perfectly and there was some nice oak cask notes, BBQ and bacon with some grape wine influence. It was very complex and faded mostly to smoke after some time.
The palate was smoked meats, chocolate, vanilla and sherry grapes. The cask gets left behind here and replaced with some salty notes and tons of smoke. The mouthfeel is luxurious and velvety smooth- which is totally expected with something this old. There’s not much alcohol heat and the smoke again slides to the front if you take your time with the sip.
The finish is long with moderate spices and finally some barrel influence. It’s smoky and sweet at the same time and each sip makes you want to take another.
This bottle was hands down the best Ardbeg I’ve ever tried. It isn’t as complex as the CorryV or the Uiggi, but they don’t hold a candle to how perfectly smooth and luscious this is. It’s hard to say whether or not this bottle is worth $500-600, but you could do a lot worse for sure. This one is battling for the top spot on my all time favorite list, so it’s easily a 5-star dram. If you want to try something close to perfection- pony up for a pour or a bottle and find out for yourself. It’s a beautiful dram. Cheers.
600.0
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per
Bottle
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I’m not sure if you’re aware and I highly doubt that you’ve evolved enough to know, but there is quite a lot of this particular whisky used in the making of my namesake blended whisky, Great Odin’s Raven. I believe something like 82% of Great Odin contains this heavenly drop from Ardbeg. SIDENOTE: did you know that Ardbeg was originally called Hard Beginnings distillery? They shortened it considerably and decided to combine the end of HARD and the front of BEGINNINGS to create the single distillery name. It was a clever and wise way to shorten the name, if you ask me. But as you can clearly tell, it’s what makes my Great Odin whisky so delicious. I see you reviewed a bottle awhile back and gave it a mediocre review. I suggest you buy some more and try it again. You owe the Distiller community and myself a redo. Don’t make me and my news team come to your home and beat you like we did Wes Mantooth’s crew.
Also, great review as usual!
@LeeEvolved - Was wondering when you were going to get around to reviewing this. It’s a great whisky Thanks again Lee!
@PBMichiganWolverine - I currently have the HP Odin at #1, but I haven’t had that in so long I’m afraid it wouldn’t hold up. I’d say the Ardbeg 23 is neck and neck with the Macallan 21 Fine Oak. Yamazaki 18 is in the mix, too. I need to try that one again soon as well.
@LeeEvolved it says a lot to have the all time top spot. ‘Battling” against which other? I’m guessing Macallan 25?