Ardbeg Scorch Committee Release

 

 

 

51,7° 

Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay 

Heavily Charred Ex-Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2021

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 54 ppm 

 

 

 

I had the opportunity to try the reduced version of this one, which I mentioned here. This one is the version reserved for members of the Committee Release, and it is cask strength. It is the special edition for Feis Ile 2021, a music and whisky festival held every year on the island of Islay. Heavily charred bourbon casks were used for the occasion, and it is said that these are the most heavily charred casks the distillery has ever used. Some even say that these are the Ardbeg Alligator casks that have actually been reused. If this is true, it allows us to estimate the approximate age of this Scorch, as the Alligator is the special edition for Feis Ile 2011, ten years earlier.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Good, rich limestone and iodine peat, with seaweed and fish scales, but also candied vanilla, lemon and grapefruit zest, lychees, parsley, thyme, and some very subtle floral notes. Sea breeze, dried seaweed and scallops. On the palate, it's more about almonds, orgeat, vanilla and pepper, cloves and cumin, but also cold ashes, charcoal and soot throughout. Very long and explosive finish, mineral, full of chalk, but also apples, and of course fuel oil, lignite, cola, a square of chocolate, coffee, dried figs.

 

In Short, 

It's very similar to the reduced version, just a few degrees stronger, which adds power and density, but otherwise the profile is exactly the same. It's surprising, given that the price is very different, I was expecting something significantly better, but that's not the case. That said, I've always thought it was one of Ardbeg's best limited editions, after Dark Cove and Ardbog, and my opinion hasn't changed. The only problem is that the price is ridiculously high. But if, like me, you have the opportunity to get your hands on half a bottle at a bargain price, don't hesitate. 

Score : 89  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                             Travo - Arrow of Motion