For all the experimentation and sheer number of releases in Ardbeg’s 21st Century incarnation, their core range of whiskies has seldom changed. The flagship Ardbeg 10 was joined by the Uigaedail and Corryvreckan during the first few years of its renaissance and remained so until 2017 when joined by An Oa, and then the Wee Beastie in 2020.
Pronounced “ah no” – like something I would never say if offered an Ardbeg – this no-age statement expression is named after the Mull of Oa, an area in the south west of Islay. The rocky outpost notoriously bears the brunt of the Atlantic ocean’s force, protecting the remainder of the south of Islay (including Ardbeg) from its immediate elements.
The whisky is the combination of various ages of Ardbeg whiskies that have been aged across multiple casks including Pedro Ximenez casks, bourbon barrels, and charred virgin oak casks, all melded together in Ardbeg’s “Gathering Vat”.
Describing itself as “Smoky. Sweet. Singularly rounded.”, the final spirit is captured at 46.6% ABV and without chill-filtration. Widely available at an RRP of around £39GBP.
Nose
That distinctive south-Islay/Kidalton medicinal note starts off proceedings within a big peaty billow of earthy smoke. Underneath it there are distinct little lemon-y / citrus-y punches of flavour with a menthol kick. The coastal flavours continue with sea spray, driftwood, and campfires.
Taste
A soft and oily texture delivers more citrus and peat flavours which play off each other well. Beneath those alternating sharp and earthy influences there are pockets of sweet flavours like butterscotch, white chocolate, and sherbet dib dabs. Flashes of white pepper heat and a warming oak round things out.
Finish
The classic Ardbeg peat smoke lingers throughout but stops short of being too much.
Verdict
It’s probably a combination of nostalgia and those distinctive flavours, but smelling and tasting this just takes me back to being in the courtyard of the distillery.
All of Ardbeg’s classic characteristics are here, if not just a little clipped. It’s like the classic 10 year old, just with its dial turned down from 10 to 8 or 9. A little sweeter. A little less smoky. But inherently Ardbeg.
An enjoyable dram and another example of the big peaty players seem to be creating these (slightly) dialled down alternatives. Talisker has their Skye. Laphroaig has their Select. Ardbeg has An Oa.
Now… a cynical part of me initially wondered why they put these out, if I’m honest. If you want an Ardbeg then go for an Ardbeg 10!
But… having given it some thought, then numerous factors could be at play. Maybe it is a price thing, for example. As costs continue to increase for everyone and the standard expressions (the 10yo in the case of the 3 listed here) get more expensive with time. At the time of writing I’ve seen the Ardbeg 10 breach the £50 threshold in some UK supermarkets. Having these more reasonably priced expressions available can keep the money coming in.
From a drinking/tasting perspective I guess it is also a way of having a lighter and more approachable version of their signature releases available rather than have customers go elsewhere if their standard offering is just too much.
There’s also the collectibility angle. Ardbeg certainly has its fanatics and this expression is certainly a cheaper alternative than the Uigaedail and Corryvreckan releases (as great as they are) and therefore more cost effective to add to your roster.
Though I’d still pick the 10, given the choice, for my money, getting those signature Ardbeg notes and having those flashbacks, this might be my pick of the (fairly) recent wave of “introductory” NAS bottlings.
M
Sample disclosure: This sample was received as part of a sample swap with Wash House Whisky. All notes are intended as an honest, fair, and independent review of the whisky, and not as a promotion. Please drink responsibly. Please drink wisely.
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