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NOTES
Reputedly once the hideout of a gang of smugglers, there was a family of MacDougalls at Ardbeg since 1798, one of whom started a legal distillery in 1815. The family retained its interest in the distillery until 1977, when it was sold to Hiram Walker. Allied Distillers bought it in 1989 and sold to the present owners, Glenmorangie, in 1997. Ardbeg Distillery's white-washed walls can be found nestling in a rocky cove on Islay's southern tip. In 2004, the Distillery was voted Visitor Attraction of the Year by readers of Whisky Magazine.
TASTING NOTES
A fine drop of Ardbeg bottled at cask strength. A marriage of Ardbeg from bourbon barrel and sherry butt which gives a sweet and smoky finish to this malt. Uigeadail is the loch from which all Ardbeg water flows.
The nose is sweet yet pungently smoky: lime marmalade and peat fires on the beach, malt, cocoa powder, salted herring. The palate is rich, concentrated and powerful. Sooty with light tarry/liquorice touches. The lime returns. Great presence but subtle in its own way with a long, biscuity malt finish.
OTHER REVIEWS
Nose: Intensely smoky. Dry, clean, tangy smoke. Like standing downwind of the barbecue while steaks are char-grilled on the beach. Palate: Firm, very smooth, then explodes on the tongue. Finish: Hot. Alcoholic. A shock to the system. Comment: The elemental opposite of the sophisticated Lord of the Isles. 54.2% Alc./Vol.
RATING: 9.25 - tasting note sourced from Michael Jackson, www.whiskmag.com
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