4/2008 ARDBEG 10 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
Put one glass of dark colored spirit and one of light colored spirit in front of 10 individuals and ask them, "Which has the most robust flavor?" and the majority of folks will likely pick the darker drink. ARDBEG 10 YEAR is a whisky that puts the lie to the notion that darker color means bigger flavor. This 92 proof, Islay whisky is remarkably light colored, like straw, and it's not particularly viscous. Nose it, though, and your head will be flooded with flavor-- iodine, berries, and smoke. The late, great boozehound, Michael Jackson, once wrote of ARDBEG 10 YEAR: "Palate: Skips sweetly along at first, then becomes mean and moody in the lengthy middle of the encounter." That's pretty accurate, but "mean"? No, we find it spicy, and profound and settling. It's a whisky that makes you focus on it, then yourself. It's not a party drink; it's a quiet time sip to be enjoyed alone. While a bottle will set you back $45 to $80, depending on the strength of the dollar, a little of this scotch goes an awfully long way. (Rating ****1/4)

To see if our retailer can sell you a bottle, click here. Otherwise, check with the folks at https://www.Ardbeg.com/.

Labels: Ardbeg, Islay, Scotch - Single Malt

 

4/2007 ARDBEG MARITIMO (SINGLE MALT WHISKY SOCIETY CASK #33.53)
Distilled in May 1994, this 10 year old whisky is a hefty 59.2% alcohol (118.4 proof!) Straw colored, it noses nicely, showing sweet and briny notes. In the mouth, it starts sweet and fruity, gets a touch smoky, then offers up iodine. A potent scotch, not for the novice, but a real delight to the lover of big malts. (Rating ****1/2)

For more information on this whisky, contact the Single Malt Whisky Society at http://www.smws.com/. You can also see if our retailer can get you a bottle by clicking SHOP, typing "ARDBEG" in the search engine, and clicking the magnifying glass.

Labels: Ardbeg, Scotch - Single Malt, Scotland

 

8/2005 ARDBEG LORD OF THE ISLES 25 YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
A good friend gave us a wee sample of this rare whisky. It's fabulous. For a few specs on it, see http://www.glenmorangieplc.com/portfolio/ardbeg_lord.asp. The nose offers a rich fruitiness; in the mouth, the berries are less pronounced and iodine and gentle peat appear. It's a full flavored whisky yet very gentle. Most impressive. (Rating ****1/2) To see two other opinions of this whiskey, surf to http://www.whiskymag.com/whisky/brand/ardbeg/whisky792.html.

To see if our retailer carries ARDBEG LORD OF THE ISLES, click SHOP and type "ARDBEG" in the search engine and click the magnifying glass.

Labels: Ardbeg, Scotch - Single Malt, Scotland