Ardbeg Tasting – October 25th – 7PM

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - Signatory Millennium Edition
Year - 1992 (Dist 19/3/1992 Bott 28/3/2000)
Age - 8
ABV - 43%
Cask / Bottle No. - 416~417 / 265 of 760
Colour - Pale Chardonnay
Nose - Dying embers of a bonfire on the beach mixing in with the kelp as the tide recedes .
Palate - a soft creamy fudge seems to envelope the Tongue , not a lot of peatiness , just a wee hint , maybe a bit of oak there as well .
Finish - Short and sweet with a touch of peat .
Comments - Strange one next to the 1991's , not as peaty .

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - Signatory Vintage
Year - 1991 (Dist 28/2/1991 Bott 17/3/1999)
Age - 8yo
ABV - 43%
Cask / Bottle No. - 611~615 / 1251 of 2360
Colour - Pale Straw .
Nose - Again Nose Prickling for 43% , Sweet peat , touch of smoke .
Palate - Peat , Peat and Peat .
Finish - Medium peat with a touch of cappuccino .
Comments - Can't work out where i would place this in a list of the 1991's , at first it seemed weak but then it seemed the nicest !

[mikeymad]

your going to have a long evening SOI....

I like it....

Cheers,

[Dram fine idea]

Good evening folks

I'm just nipping out (pun intended) for a pint or two and will be back later to join in. Have a good evening all

Steve

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - Straight From the Cask (for La Maison du Whisky )
Year - 1992 (Dist 19/3/1992 Bott 15/8/2002)
Age - 10yo
ABV - 56.7%
Cask / Bottle No. - 424 / 1 of 478 Bottles .
Colour - Pale Straw
Nose - Definitely nose tingling ! Apples , peat , touch citric . A drop of water really opens up the nose , all of the Ardbeg characteristics burst out , Nuts , Chocolate , cream .
Palate - Sweet peatiness , green fruits , Water brings out Coffee and cocoa .
Finish - Long peaty and touch of chocolate
Comments - The step up to 10yo and Caskstrength makes a lot of difference , it's actually better with a drop of water .

[Spirit of Islay]

your going to have a long evening SOI....

I like it....

Cheers,

I certainly am Mikey !
The last one is my Fav so far , very like a TEN O.B. when a drop of water is added .

[Ganga]

Enjoying your notes Gordon. Interesting how I can almost taste what you have in your hands after having the VY, SY and AT last night.

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - Straight From the Cask (for La Maison du Whisky )
Year - 1992 (Dist 19/3/1992 Bott 16/10/2002)
Age - 10yo
ABV - 57.1%
Cask / Bottle No. - 427 / 1 of 469 Bottles .
Colour - Golden Barley .
Nose - Again quite nose tingling , peaty , creamy fudge .
Palate - A lovely creamy peatiness , pine nuts , coffee .
Finish - long sweet peat .
Comments - Water doesn't seem to open this one up as much , but still a cracking cask at Cask strength .

[Spirit of Islay]

Hi Rich ,
I'm enjoying my self here , done all the Sigbegs in front of me , moving onto the Cadbegs.....

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - Cadenheads Authentic Collection
Year - 1993 (Bott Oct 2004)
Age - 10yo
ABV - 57.3%
Cask / Bottle No. - Bourbon Hoggie / one of 252
Colour - Chardonnay Wine
Nose - very Nose tingling with peat at FS , With a drop of water , peat , chocolate and Cocoa .
Palate - Sweet Peat , Fudge . More Creamier with water .
Finish - Long , creamy peat .
Comments - a good cask that seems to benefit from a drop of water .

[Ryguy]

Hi Rich ,
I'm enjoying my self here , done all the Sigbegs in front of me , moving onto the Cadbegs.....

Great notes and drams as usual Gordon. I tasted the Sig 92/8yo as well, thx to Tim in ME. I found it to be very different from other Ardbeg's I've had, but tasty indeed!

I have a 9yo SOS that I'm tasting now. I'm going to try to get a few in before I have to leave.

[Ryguy]

I had dreams of Ardbeg last night, I was ready to drink more when I woke up this morning....but I waited until now.

Ardbeg 9yo ( 52.9%, Spirit of Scotland, Cask 935, 1996/2005 )

Nose: A bit sweet, and buttery, hints of peat and seaweed.
Palate: Sour apples, briny, iodine/band aids, some liquorish.
Finish: Nice and long finish, lemons and other citrus fruits, and more peat.
Comment: This one is very good! The finish is almost never ending! Many thanks to Dr. Entropy for this sample!!

[Ryguy]

Ardbeg 9yo ( 58.0%, SMWS, Cask #33.66, May-1998/Nov-2007 )

Nose: Like a fireplace that has a few logs left in it from the night before, but is completely out. Sweet vanilla in the background.
Palate: Very full and oily, tarry yet sweet, big peat and spicy pepper.
Finish: Long and just really tasty, even more peat in the finish, then becomes medicinal with wood smoke lingering.
Comment: Lovely dram from the SMWS!! Glad I kept a couple samples for archive!!!

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - Cadenhead's Bond Reserve
Year -
Age - 10yo
ABV - 58.6%
Cask / Bottle No. -
Colour - Light Straw
Nose - At FS Peat , slight Citric . With Water - peat , coffee , Cocoa .
Palate - Peat , slight Peppermint , with Water - peat , slight pepper , chocolate .
Finish - Long , peaty , slight peppermint .
Comments - Really nice Beg , shame about the lack of info on this one .

[Spirit of Islay]

The last Cadbeg of the night....
Expression - Cadenheads Bond Reserve
Year - 1991
Age - 11yo
ABV - 62.2% !!!!
Cask / Bottle No. - Bourbon Hoggie / One of 306
Colour - Golden Syrup
Nose - surprisingly weak at first on the nose for the strength , quite spicy , peat , seashore at FS . Toffee , peat and Coffee with Water .
Palate - Condensed Ardbeg ! Dark Chocolate , peat , Coffee . Wow for the strength ! Water kills it !
Finish - Long and Toffee .
Comments - Bloody Hell ! this is good . the strength doesn't really spoil it .

[Ganga]

Ok, I'll have a dram too. Retrying the Very Young but in the Ardbeg nosing glass.

Nose: citrus-lemon, sweet dried peat, peppermint candies, rising dough
Palate: peat bonfire, bon-bons
Finish: long, dying embers

Much better experience today than last night.

[Spirit of Islay]

BTW using the only choice glass of the true Ardbeg Fan....
The Ardbeg Nosing Glass !
Available at the Old Kiln in person and at the Old Kiln online shop.....

[daveski]

Evening all,

Ardbeg 10 (OB 2007, 46%, just opened)

Nose. I smelt the sea, white wine and a citrusy (lemon i think) nose.

Palate. Initially quite sweet almost like chocolate, complete with creaminess. The follow through was of more smoke with a tinge of peat. Leaving the mouth slightly dry for a few seconds after swallowing.

Finish. Wow. LOOOOONG. Very long and smoky, lingering still with me, as i type my notes.

Haven't had the 10 in ages and i now remember how good it is.

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - The Single Malts of Scotland
Year - 2000 (Dist 06/04/2000 , Bott 22/04/2008)
Age - 8yo
ABV - 62.6% !!!!!!!!
Cask / Bottle No. - Hogshead 60215 / one of 163
Colour - Barley Sugar
Nose - Chocolate peat !
Palate - Peppery , Chocolate , Coffee , peat .
Finish - Long and peppery .
Comments - Amazing Ardbeg . I took this to Islay last summer and gave a try of it to the "Head" Ardbegmeister , he loved it !

[Dram fine idea]

Evening Nick, Ganga and SOI (and anyone else who has joined)

I'm back from my favourite pub (The Grill - you guessed it) with my samples of Ardbeg 1977 (wow) and Renaissance. I also have a full bottle of Ardbeg 10. Warming up with a lovely Glenmorangie 10.

Cheers
Steve

[Dram fine idea]

Hi Nick

I really can not get the Blasda (yet). I tried it in Oddbins a few days ago and what you say rings a bell. Stop start whisky. Sorry if I offend anyone who loves it. Perhaps you'll get more from a second glass.

Cheers
Steve

[Spirit of Islay]

Evening Guys , Welcome aboard !
From young to old.....
Expression - Douglas Laing Platinum Selection
Year - 1972 (Bott 2002)
Age - 29yo
ABV - 50.4%
Cask / Bottle No. - 226 of 235
Colour - Barley Sugar
Nose - Gone is the peat , Smoke , Iodine , seashore .
Palate - Ardbeg-dine , coffee , chocolate . toffee .
Finish - long and Ardbeg-dine
Comments - What is it about 1970's Ardbegs ? Amazing stuff !

[Spirit of Islay]

Expression - Signatory Vintage
Year - 1967 (Dist 22/3/67 Bott 24/3/1997)
Age - 30yo
ABV - 52.2%
Cask / Bottle No. - 1138 / 73 of 580
Colour - Mahogany
Nose - Dark Oloroso Sherry interplays with the smokiness of the Ardbeg spirit .
Palate - Very dry on the Tongue , it's very interesting the way the Oloroso comes to the front one moment and then the smokiness of the spirit does the next !
Finish - Hot , dry and Peppery
Comments - Oh man ! Will we ever see the likes of this again ? I hope so , probably about 2027/28......if we are really lucky !

[Dram fine idea]

Ardbeg 10 46%

Nose Ardbeg
Taste Ardbeg
Finish Ardbeg
Comment Ardbeg

I'm having a laugh.

Nose First, I smell alcohol (I've almost got rid of my cold). Sweet. Salt. Twist of lemon (just like I squeeze over breaded/battered haddock on a Friday). Coal fire when it's cooled in the morning. Tar. I could smell this all night. In time ... give it 20 minutes.... here it comes....the signature American Ice Cream Soda (I am 10 years old playing football (soccer) at my late Granny's and taking a break with a bottle of Hays American Ice Cream Soda). Ardbeg brings me right back! Deep breath, inhale fully and smile. Good to feel young again!

Taste. Everything. Where do I start? Sweet. White pepper. Twist of lemon. Salt. Tar. Leather. Peat. Warmth - a lovely bubbling on the tongue but still smooth and gentle enough. Iodine down the sides of my mouth when I throw your head back and chew it.

Finish Gentle. White pepper. Coal smoke. Tar. Twist of lemon. Nothing like American Ice Cream Soda!

Comment I could drink this all night it is so good! If this doesn't kill my cold tonight then I'm not trying hard enough. But I'll give the 1977 and Renaissance a chance first. What a tough act to follow. Unbelievable for a standard bottling. That's a good start.

[Derek in london]

Good evening all

After reading some of the postings I felt the need to pop down to my local Sainsburys and pick a little something. Came back with a bottle of '10'

I think it's great My wife says it reminds her of germoline

More for me then

[Ras Mazunga]

Good evening all.
Starting with a 10, L5, 46%,
n: 'clean' peat smoke. Some apples indeed. Vanilla and a few cookies.
t: a little tar with oranges and menthol.
f: long enough
c: a very nice whisky. happy I bought another litre bottle last week.

[daveski]

Almost There (9yo, 54.1%)

Nose. Light Citrus and a scent of sweet (ish) white wine. Still get a touch of the sea (breeze or weed - not sure)

Palate. Sweet chocolate and cocoa start, seaweed, light smoke. (with water it opens up more of the peat and smoke)

Finish. Long and oily (though not as long as the 10). Water opens up the finish making it smoother and much longer.

[Dram fine idea]

Ardbeg 1977 NAS 46%

Nose Sweet (like candyfloss). Thick. Oily. Salt. Very easy and gentle. More simple and straightforward (or focussed) than the standard 10.

Taste Again predominantly sweet (like the nose) with a touch of salt and a twist of lemon. The iodine only whispers above the sweetness when I give it a good chew. Touch of tar and coal smoke eventually.

Finish Incredibly gentle and smooth and long. Predominantly sweet with the balance of salt, lemon and peat.

Comment Jim Murray tells me this is simply one of the greatest experiences - whisky or otherwise - of your life. I'm inclined to agree and at only £13.20 a dram this is another mind blowing dram from the Grill. Life is good with Ardbeg.

[Ras Mazunga]

Ardbeg 14yo Cadenheads, 1993-2008, 46%, bottled by Willie JJ

n: much fuller than the 10, gentle smoky as the 10 but winey: sauternes.
t: like the nose
f: nice tickling in the mouth, feels stronger than 46% at this moment. Powerful...
c: 10 is very good, this one is even better.

poured some more:
n: apples(Granny Smith), some pine, italian herbs(?)
t: taste seems to be youger now, more sweets. So very drinkable...
c: I wish I could just drink this continuously.

[Sherried Malt]

Hi everyone. Finally got my chores done.

Will try the following tonight (before going to a wine tasting...) My wife is shaking her head.

Ardbeg 10
Ardbeg VY
Ardbeg AT
Ardbeg Ren

[Derek in london]

Here we go

Ardbeg 10, freshly opened

Nose. Pungent, Seaweedy

Palate. Power (I drink lowlands a lot) plenty of peaty smokiness

Finish. I can still tase the smoke and peat minutes after swallowing with a warm feeling at the back of my throat

[Sherried Malt]

Ardbeg 10

Nose: Peat smoke (duh) but not as prominent as other occasions. Tropical fruits, melon. (?) Very sweet character. On second nosing, much less of the above.

Palate: Maritime air but not the typical saltiness. Some iodine. Nicely balanced but not rounded. Sweetness from nose not carried over to palate.

Finish: Alcohol. Fairly drying. There's a bite...

[Dram fine idea]

Ardbeg Renaissance 10 years old 55.9%

Nose Sweet (candyfloss). White pepper. Lemon. Coalsmoke. Peat. The full strength means you can't get so close or hang around so long - initially, then it becomes easier. My mother says she can 'smell nothing nice'. She also mentioned paraffin - which I can agree with! Rocket fuel indeed! Almost brings back the smell of the lawnmower which thankfully is now away for the winter. I'm all for swapping time with the lawnmower for time with a bottle of Ardbeg.

Taste Oily, mouthcoating, sweet, sour/bitter, tingling pepper, bang! explosion of spice and heat, my god it's getting hot but I'm hanging in there, then lemon, tar, peat, coal smoke, bitumen road surfacing, then ... American Ice Cream Soda (yes yes yes I can taste the AICS at last - wow!)

Finish Cooling off (thank goodness) with sprays of coal smoke, tar, peat, rope, salt, lemon. Slightly dry (as you'd expect at this strength). And the AICS.

Comment My oh my this is brilliant! First time I tried this a few weeks ago at the Bow Bar in Edinburgh I had a cold and couldn't smell anything. The taste gave me a pleasant surprise but I was struggling to get the range I tasted tonight. This is simply great whisky and I am going to get a bottle pronto.

[Sherried Malt]

Going back in time...

Ardbeg VY (Thanks, SoMK!)

Nose: Huge seaweed! Maritime air too. Faint hint of matchsticks. Camphor and/or Phenol too? Not sure, but something along those lines... Barest hint of ammonia. Beginning to smell like a chem plant...

Palate: Medicinal. A hint of some unidentified fruit. Very tough to pick out little else...

Finish: Very hot. After it fades, there's a ton of smoke. Very one-dimensional.

[jazz lover]

Hello All
Starting my evening with
Ardbeg Lord of the Isles
Just opened and this needs
to breath a while.
Citrus? Lemons,bittersweet,
rooty with a slight smoke.
Very mild for a 25yr. I always
liked the older expressions.