Ardbeg Spectacular

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay

Port Wine Casks and Ex-Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 54 ppm

 

 

 

I've never heard of Ardbeg ageing in port wine casks before. This is surprising, because this distillery is fond of trying anything and everything, and their rivals Laphroaig have made a magnificent Brodir in Port casks. And so it was at the Feis Ile 2024 that this new innovation was revealed to the public, although the bottling had taken place 6 months earlier. Neither the age nor the number of bottles produced is known. I've read here and there that the juice is over 10 years old, but I really doubt it.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

At first, it's very vegetal, candied angelica, fatty grass, then some lemon coulis, a drop of cherry juice, crushed raspberry, red plums, gooseberries, it's Port. Thickly smoked, but coated in cotton candy, toffee apple, barbecue sauce. The palate is less interesting, concentrated on tall grass and reeds, the peat is not very overpowering. Spices, pepper, cloves, lime. The finish is long and explosive, with liquorice sticks, cola and caramel, charcoal, damp and dark earth. 

 

In Short, 

It's a good product, I don't see why I should say otherwise. The nose is subtle and nuanced, oscillating between the influence of Port and Bourbon, which is interesting. On the palate, however, it's a little disappointing, probably too young, but it holds up. The finish is typical Ardbegian, powerful, explosive, full of tar and coal. All in all, I'd say it's not better than the Ten, and even the palate is not so harmonious. So it should the same price bracket. Maybe slightly more expensive, as it's a limited edition. Unfortunately it's double that.

Score : 87

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

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