dhsilv2
Ardbeg Twenty Something 23 Year
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
June 17, 2019 (edited March 22, 2020)
Very sherry forward on the nose, this spent time in secondary casks, a lot of time. There's a musty almost stale room / saw mill note in here, likely a light well faded peat is driving this. It has an earthy element as well. But the fruits are dominating the nose, with perhaps some vanilla at the end. There's a very distinct spicy note as well. The finish is a bit acidic in the alcohol bite. Crazy complex. I'm now getting some cinnamon roll dough, not the cinnamon but the dough and a touch of that icing.
Taste - Dough, vanilla, a legit funk of some sort and then it fades into this vanilla/earthy/light peat finish that lasts forever. The finish is over taking the opening in a way I've not experienced. Second taste I get more vanilla, light oak, the sherry and fruits are there but muted vs the nose. There's a lightness on the whisky....almost a water like note, despite being a creamy and viscous 46%. Cinnamon roll dough for sure but again I think it's a different spice. The finish starts taking on some of the dark fruits and spices on a second pour along with those vanilla oak and peat long linger notes.
For 46% it's got some mouth feel but it comes up a touch short due to a weakness in the mid pallet
This is certainly an A whisky but I'm not sure it's an A+ and ranging from 500-650 it's not a great value.
625.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@PBMichiganWolverine I’m saving some for you anyway
@Richard-ModernDrinking let me know what you think. If it’s a 5 star, I’ll reconsider my position.
@PBMichiganWolverine Just picked up my bottle of the 19 and about to open.
@dhsilv2 @LeeEvolved there’s a 19 yr out. I’m not pulling the trigger, but what’s your thoughts on it ?
@LeeEvolved if you check out Mike's Whisky Reviews on youtube he's now reviewed all 3 of the Ardbeg twenty somethings. The 22 is a completely different experience for him. Next time I'm at Mike's house, I'll be getting himt o sample out one of his many bottles of 21 to confirm.
@dhsilv2 - I tried the 21 when it first came out and wasn’t overly impressed, especially at the $550 price point. The peat had faded and all I really got was vanilla and oak barrel notes. I believe the 22 is the same whisky with just another year on it, so I haven’t pulled the trigger on that one. I have another bottle of both the 21 and 23 and I’m tempted to just buy more of the 23 because it’s just so damn good. Have you tried the 21?
@LeeEvolved I'll be reviewing my 22 year as soon as my friend brings my bottle back...hopefully he doesn't kill it in the mean time.
Great review. This is the greatest Ardbeg whisky I’ve ever tasted. It’s in my Top 3 of all time, as well.