49,9°
Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay
2d Fill Toasted American White Oak Ex-Bourbon Barrels
Original Bottling
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2014
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
Peated around 54 ppm
Ardbeg always launches a limited edition to coincide with the Feis Ile, and has been doing so since around 2008. That year, 2014, it was the soccer World Cup in Brazil. The distillery felt obliged to support the Seleçao, with this bottling in the colours of the Brazilian flag. But it didn't really work, as Brazil suffered a memorable 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany. In any case, 6,600 bottles went on sale and were quickly sold out.
Let's Taste It :
Iodised, slightly salty freshness, with the influence of Bourbon bringing out the vanilla, genoise and icing sugar. Abundantly greased sharpening leather. Menthol. Cane syrup. At the same time, it's slightly vegetal, marshy, you'd think you were in a mangrove with an alligator on the prowl. Very pleasant balance. On the palate, rosewater at first, liquid honey, then a few spices, paprika, pepper, ginger, cumin, gradually gaining strength, green tea, but remaining warm, coriander and a hint of aniseed. The finish is long, with maté, dried meat, star anise and cardamom. And a clove to finish.
In Short,
Without being exceptional, it's still a real success. It has a sweet, exotic freshness reminiscent of Brazil, which blends quite well with the Ardbeg profile. I could recommend buying it, if the prices on the secondary market hadn't soared beyond the reasonable and even the unreasonable.
Score : 89
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Porcupine Tree - Time Flies
No comments:
Post a Comment