54,5°
Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay
Refill Bourbon Barrel
Independent Bottling
By The Character of Islay Whisky Company
Limited Edition
Single Cask
Bottled in 2019
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength
Peated around 54 ppm
In 2019, the Atom Brands group founded The Character of Islay Whisky Company, a trading company dedicated to promoting the best nectars from the mythical island. In addition to a regular range, there is a collection of rarities called 'The Stories of Wind & Wave', including this beauty specially selected by La Maison du Whisky and divided into just 92 bottles. It went on sale in 2020.
Let's Taste It :
Thick, fairly heavy smoke. Powerful despite its eighteen years. Accompanied by a sea breeze, fine salt, rocks glistening in the sunlight, quartz, jasper, dry sand. I'm on a heavenly beach, just a little kelp, my feet in the foam, my hands caressed by the sea air. Palm trees. Otherwise it's quite sweet, pineapple, lemon tears, lychee. Whipped cream. Mille-feuilles. Behind lies a damp, muddy peat, silt and lichen. Wet dog. Leathery. Like a minty freshness. Gypsum. Liège waffle, Grand Marnier, speculoos. Ashy vanilla. Chlorine. On the palate, the lemon comes through, with a maritime flavour, iodine, oysters, whelks, then a few spices, cumin, paprika, just the right amount. After a while it becomes as fine as silk, a very soft, refined oil. A hint of salt. The finish is slow to explode but very long, still with seafood, crab, boutargue, fruity Cantal cheese, light charcoal, and to finish, coconut ice cream, peppermint. A drop of liquorice.
In Short,
My score may be a little high, but I'm a big fan of this distillery, and I have to admit that I loved it. The palate is particularly pleasant, both oily and very subtle. It's a great success, certainly one of the best Ardbeg's on the market for twenty years. A must-have if you're a fan of the distillery as I am, provided you have an understanding banker.
Score : 92
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Soundgarden - Jesus Christ Pose
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