57,6°
1st Fill Bourbon Barrel
Distillery : Ardbeg - Islay
Original Bottling
Limited Edition
Single Cask
Bottled in 2024
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength
Peated around 55 ppm
Sometimes, we’re glad to be French. Like those moments when we get the chance to taste this Single Cask, crafted at one of the world’s peatiest distilleries, 10 years old, first-fill bourbon barrel, cask strength, and only 243 bottles, exclusively for us, the little Frenchies. This cask, numbered 7195, is reserved for the Caves Ambassades Ardbeg in France. Foreigners can drink it, of course, but you have to come to France to buy it. Or find it at auction. Wouldn't you say we're lucky?
Let's Taste It :
Mellow citrus, with a medicinal touch and floral honey. A crystalline, menthol-like fullness, lemon zest, tropical fruits, a slice of smoky pineapple, peat that seems light and slightly dry, papaya, earthy dust, and a few splashes of sea spray. On the palate, slivered almonds, woody honey, candied bananas, creamy vanilla, a trace of coconut, fairly strong spices, nutmeg and cloves. A very long, very powerful finish, sliced lime, orange blossom, mineral notes, white pepper, prickly pear, a slice of cured ham, scallops, speculoos crumbs. An aftertaste of asphalt, spongy peat, petrichor, yet always with a touch of indulgence, white currant, almond paste.
In Short,
We’re really lucky, because this is absolutely delicious. The nose is incredible, pure, concentrated Ardbeg, vaguely reminiscent of the Ten, but ten times better. The palate is perfect, full of exotic fruits, you can barely taste the peat. And the finish is fantastic, returning to a full minerality, the quintessential Ardbeg peaty character. I loved every drop of the small centiliter I was given, from start to finish. On the other hand, the price is completely delusional. Even at half price, it would still be too expensive.
Score : 91+
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Green Day - Jesus of Suburbia
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