Ardbeg

Pronounced oo-gah-dahl, and named after the loch that provides Ardbeg with its spring water on the south east of Islay, this peaty puncher is one of the distillery’s core expressions. The master distillers have taken their revered smoky malt and given it a final and thorough sherry butt maturation. Bottled at a high percentage, this monster promises to be a heavy hitter in all aspects of the drinking exprience.

ABV: 54.2%

Nose

M: Quite sweet and surprisingly floral but sherry pokes through. The usual Ardbeg peat is there but seems to be restrained.

Taste

M: Ardbeg’s trademark peaty hit then really makes itself known upfront but isn’t as bruising as you would expect and makes way for a fruitcake/fudge taste with big, strong flavours to balance the peat.

Finish

M: A lasting burn with peat and sherry entwined, but the peat has the last laugh when you breathe again.

Verdict

M: This is a peaty whisky turned up to 11! It goes beyond being just about Ardbeg’s distinctive peat and power. The high ABV and peat on paper make it seem like it might blow your head off but actually it is balanced really well and doesn’t need taming with water at all – which makes it dangerous stuff. Definitely not a driver’s drink. The sherry influence is notable with rich, rounded fruit flourishes. Big flavours, big finish, big smile on my face.