For the std version I am aligned with @Richard-ModernDrinking in his review of the committee. A friend and I tried this for free on Ardbeg day at our local retailer. They served up pineapple chocolate and a smoked fish and potato dish. Both combinations went very well with the whiskey. It's almost like you are combining a lighter grooves version with a spicy pineapple fruit combo. I liked it but less than the Kelpie or in fact any of the previous releases in recent history. I'm noticing a steady decrease in my liking for the Ardbeg day releases over the last few years 4.5, 4.25/4 and now 3.75. The rum influence was very subtle and this wasn't a memorable dram. I notice the pricing at 120 usd was again poor value. Interesting I see the committee ranked lower than the std but I think it maybe the type of reviewer for each category i.e. the committee releases generally being consumed by the more dedicated whiskey drinker.
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@oldschoolwon Yes they are owned by LVMH now so all about fashion, style and high prices!
Haven’t tried it but as someone who has tried nearly every expression in the last decade from Ardbeg I truly feel they are becoming just a hype machine. And if i need to pay $120 plus shipping then it needs to be a 90 plus for NAS. Ardbeg hasn’t realized that there is true competition at a much lower price point. I’m a peat head and have passed on the last two.
@Evilbiochemist They have done very low peating in the past but I don't know if they have done a totally unpeated expression. It would probably take them 6 months of intensive scrubbing of the entire distillery in order to do a fully unpeated run - probably cheaper to build a new distillery :-)
@Richard-ModernDrinking I really liked it, but admittedly not liked it that much to go hunting for it. The 10, Corry, and Uigi will do just fine
One pour of the committee release was enough for me. I haven’t felt compelled to drink what’s left of my bottle split.
I agree with all of this, too many skus- not enough versatility to support a true difference. Maybe they should try an unpeated just for kicks.
@cascode But then looking at my ratings. Uggie and Corry next highest:-)
@cascode Yes I think you hit the nail on the head. They just don't have that 'wow that's unique, must have etc' feeling. Kelpie stood out for me as it was different and great tasting. My highest rated Ardbeg.
Interesting you are losing enthusiasm for the Ardbeg Day specials - I’m in the same boat. The 10 y.o. and Uggy still excite me, but I don’t think much of the rest of the range now. There’s nothing particularly wrong with any of them but there are dozens of other whiskies I’d buy in preference.
@dubz480 Wise choice! Cheers :-)
Another shipment of this just hit my local. $129.99. Passed it by! Great review as always!