Opinions on Ardbeg

[Scissors]

I'd read a great deal of praise and positive evaluations of Ardbeg, so my curiosity was piqued, and I bought a bottle recently. I'm not a big scotch drinker, but I know a few single malts, including Laphroaig and some other Islays. Before drinking it, I was extremely surprised that it was an Islay; I figured they weren't "user friendly," smoky, peaky, and salty from the sea air.

Then I had some and was even more surprised.

Lovely intense honey in the front of my mouth—nothing like an Islay in my experience—but then giving way to a tangle of the traditional Islay flavors of peak, smoke, and sea in the middle and back of my mouth. If it started out as the opposite of an Islay, it turned into the very definition of one! Last a lingering finish that even wafts up into my nose of all those flavors. It's fascinating that so many different and such different flavors could mingle in one drink. I bow to the distillers at Ardbeg; they really know what they're doing.

Now that's my impression of the scotch, and, as I said, I'm by no means an expert in scotch. I'm curious to know what other folks, more experienced in single malts, think of it. Is it truly a great scotch in its complexity, or is its proliferation of flavors a parlor trick? Are the great scotches rather intense expressions of single region's water and barley? Or is this a style that's gripping the industry? Or ... something else?

So I'm quite curious to see what folks here think.

 

[castlecraver]

I find the peat comes on a tad later than Laphroaig, but it's in the same league in terms of peat punchiness. We did Ardbeg for one of our Spirits of the Month wayyy back when. Some folks can pick out the nose flavors better than others it seems. It's certainly a unique malt -- not quite a Lagavulin in terms of softness and sweetness but not as punchy as a Laphroaig, still with it's own flavor profile that (to me) isn't as medicinal as the former.

 

[ginantonix]

One of the greatest single malt scotch whiskies ever. As you mentioned, lots of peat, but not harsh and lovely honey, tons of complexity. The more you concentrate on nosing it, the more you will discover.

I still love Islay whiskies, but they don't seem to love me any more. Ardbeg and Bunnahabhain are the two exceptions, but the latter is even less like a traditional Islay than Ardbeg.

Excellent choice with the Ardbeg. Narrowly escaped demolition a number of years ago, and was silent for a number of years - if you were lucky enough to pick up a bottle of 10 year old a few years back you actually got much older whisky (There was no 10 year old since the distillery was restarted). Another point of trivia is that the stylized "A" on the label is an illumination from the Book of Kells.

 

[John Kreiner]

Add a few drops of water, and you have a drink even angels will love.

 

[TimmyBoston]

Ardbeg is one of my favorites, top notch stuff.

 

[cthip]

i received a bottle for christmas and LOVE it.

i definitely agree with the above comments, the smokiness of the peat is there, but it doesn't punch you in the face with the iodine/seawater quality that laphroaig does (for the record i did enjoy my first bottle of laphroaig 10, i just wouldn't buy another one).

i haven't had an opportunity to try lagavulin or bunnahabhain, but if they're known to be even softer with the peat, then i'd say ardbeg hits the perfect balance/sweet-spot of peatiness.

 

[Luc]

I learnt a few months ago that I'm not a scotch drinker. I tried a few scotch (incl. Ardbeg 10yo, Johnny Walker black and blue and another one but I forget the name) and everyone of them have the same aftertaste. It could be strong or not, there's some kind of tar in there and I don't like the taste.

Whisky on the other hand, yes!

You can see it this way, more for you!

 

[Governor11201]

So I'm quite curious to see what folks here think.

I think I would like some more Ardbeg.

Seriously, this is a favorite of mine, one that is in the standard rotation along with Lagavullin, Oban and Laphroig.

 

[Greyfox]

I have to try this one.

 

[Torcams]

You didn't state which age - I assume we're talking about the 10 year here.

To me, Ardbeg has more of an classic neutral oak, young whisky character (i.e. lacking the "smoothness" that sherry barrels provide in Lagavulin). This is not a bad thing at all - it's got some fruits; I tend to get more lemon/apple notes. Of course all of this is balanced by a strong dose of peat smoke and maritime flavors.

 

[drunkentester]

Ardbeg...the end all and be all of single malts.

Not that I'm biased or anything.

--D

 

[Wil]

A wonderful bear hug- followed by a kick in the %&#'s- but in a nice sort of way.....

 

[castlecraver]

Ardbeg...the end all and be all of single malts.

Not that I'm biased or anything.

--D

Hm... I think I recognize your Avatar from somewhere...

 

[Scissors]

Add a few drops of water, and you have a drink even angels will love.

No doubt! Perhaps this is evil, but I put a single ice cube in mine, not to chill it, but to taste the changes more and more water induces in it. When first dropped in and nothing has dissolved the different flavors are quite clearly demarcated in the mouth, but as it dissolves, they blend and aren't so well situated in the mouth. The smoke and peat extends further and further to the front, the honey loses some intensity but spreads out and mixes with everything. It's like a hallucinogen for the taste buds!

You didn't state which age - I assume we're talking about the 10 year here.

Yes. I know there are other bottlings, ages, styles, but the liquor stores I can get to don't carry 'em. Just the plain old 10 year old. I'd love to try the others, especially the Corryvreckan (if only because the whirlpool of the same name plays an important role in one of my favorite movies, I Know Where I'm Going!)

 

[Obsessed]

I think the Ardbeg 10 y.o. is great stuff. One of these days I really want to try the Uigedail.

 

[BigRich]

I adored the old Ardbeg and the old 17 year was one of my all time favorite malts. The stuff produced under the "new administration" including the 10 Year I have a kind of love/hate relationship with. If I'm in the mood for it then nothing else will do. If I'm not in the more for it then I would easily pass in favor of Lagavulin. It's not an anytime whisky for me.

 

[djh]

Opinion?! Yes, please!! In any way, shape or form. A great whisky