JDeschain
Ardbeg 10 Year
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
January 30, 2020 (edited May 11, 2020)
I recently began my journey in peated/smoky whiskies. I haven't tried much. Between this and Laphroaig 10, I like Ardbeg 10 a bit more.
I went to my local bar for a couple ounce pour of whiskey. I originally went there to try Balcones Brimstone, but they were out. So instead, I ordered this.
Bartender opened the bottle and immediately the bar patrons began commenting on the smell. Some loved it, others turned their noses. I was excited.
The nose had intense smoky fruit flavors with some spice. The peat hit me hard on the taste. After a moment to acclimate, I began picking up flavors of citrus, green apples, and some sweetness like honey. I loved it. It took some time to find the sweetness in this scotch. If you're trying this for the first time, be patient, and it will reward you with a nuanced experienced. I look forward to trying the other Ardbeg offerings.
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@RLDN106 picked up a bottle on my way home from work today. Wow. Review coming soon.
@BDanner love Talisker 10! Looking to get a bottle of their Distiller’s Edition. Can’t go wrong with them.
@PBMichiganWolverine I agree! I’ve yet to get a whisky I don’t like from any of the Islands. The Talisker 10 is next on my list.
@jonwilkinson7309 It was just provided at a tasting the distillery ran at a whiskey festival i went to. Not available retail sorry!
Wow! Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I never realized how supportive and excited the Islay community is. Hopefully I’ll get to try several of your suggestions soon, but as they say: So many whiskeys, so little time....
@Soba45 There's an Ardbeg 10 cask strength? That I'd love to try.
@JDeschain I'm with @Ctrexman on this one: the Uigeadail is the next evolution from yr experiences with the standard Lap10, Ard10, and Ledaig. It's cask strength, but delightfully complex and intense. If you're more interested in a bourbon-cask influence rather than a sherry-cask, then a great alternative is the Talisker 10. If you'd prefer a more refined and gentler whisky, then you can't go wrong with the Lag16 albeit at a higher price point.
@Scott_E i have an extra caol 18—-in our next trade, I’ll put that in. One of the best VFM Islay
@cascode I agree completely. Both are great and you can never be wrong with either. @PBMichiganWolverine, once again, you are correct. All those are great, though I never had the Caol Ila 18. I think you may have summed up the essential 7 of the 10 to always have on hand.
@JDeschain Ardbeg is one of the most smoke potent. But others add salinity + smoke ( Lagavulin or Talisker ), or citrus + smoke ( Kilchoman), or medicinal + smoke ( Laphroaig)
@PBMichiganWolverine I hope to try them all soon! There’s a great local bar near me with a respectable scotch selection. When it’s back open, I’ll be there sipping on some more Islays for sure!
@JDeschain you gotta try all the Islay base models: Ardbeg 10, Laphroaig 10, Lagavulin 16, Caol Ila 18, and Kilchoman ( Loch Gorm is my favorite ). Then branch over to Islands and Cambeltown (Talisker 10, Springbank 15)
Why discriminate? Revel in the bounty that is available and buy a bottle of each - they're equally excellent 10 year old Islay peaters.
@jonwilkinson7309 @BDanner @WhiskeyLonghorn Laphroaig 10 all the way baby! I managed to try both in cask strength and man that Laphroaig 10 CS is one of my top peated drams ever.
@Ctrexman Its on my list and looking forward to it!
Oogie! Oogie!
One more vote for the Ardbeg over Laphroaig in the battle of the 10s. But both are wonderful. For my palate, it's the smoke that gives Ardbeg the edge. I find the Ardbeg to be a great campfire/barbeque smoke, while the Laphroaig is slightly ashy by comparison. And I second @WhiskeyLonghorn - give the Brimstone a try (perhaps when it's back in stock). It's a love it or hate it proposition, and personally, I love it.
I prefer the Lap10, but man it's close.
I too prefer this over Laphroaig. I prefer the lemon notes in Ardbeg over the briny iodine of Laphroaig. As for the brimstone, that’s a very different smoky adventure. Nothing like an Islay pour but lovely nonetheless.