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dhsilv2

Ardbeg Twenty Something 23 Year

Single Malt — Islay, Scotland

Reviewed June 17, 2019 (edited March 22, 2020)
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
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
  • LeeEvolved
  • PBMichiganWolverine
  • islay_emissary
  • Soba45
  • Anthology
Create Account or Sign in to comment on this review
  • Richard-ModernDrinking
    August 31, 2019

    @PBMichiganWolverine I’m saving some for you anyway

  • PBMichiganWolverine
    August 31, 2019

    @Richard-ModernDrinking let me know what you think. If it’s a 5 star, I’ll reconsider my position.

  • Richard-ModernDrinking
    August 31, 2019

    @PBMichiganWolverine Just picked up my bottle of the 19 and about to open.

  • PBMichiganWolverine
    August 31, 2019

    @dhsilv2 @LeeEvolved there’s a 19 yr out. I’m not pulling the trigger, but what’s your thoughts on it ?

  • dhsilv2
    August 31, 2019

    @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.

  • LeeEvolved
    August 31, 2019

    @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?

  • dhsilv2
    August 31, 2019

    @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.

  • LeeEvolved
    August 31, 2019

    Great review. This is the greatest Ardbeg whisky I’ve ever tasted. It’s in my Top 3 of all time, as well.

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