Ardbeg 1977

[Grass Snake]

How good is this really?

Is it worth what it costs?

Or are there better whiskys out there for the money?

Snake

[corbuso]

It has been matter to much discussion.

Have a look at :
http://www.whiskymag.com/forum/viewtopi ... rdbeg+1977

and http://www.whiskymag.com/forum/viewtopi ... rdbeg+1977

This should answer all your questions.

Corbuso
--------
http://www.whisky-news.com

[Wave]

How good is this really?

Is it worth what it costs?

Or are there better whiskys out there for the money?

Snake

I consider it bottled heaven

The price I paid for my last 2 bottles was at a ridiculous sum of $75 apiece (about 38~39.00GBP) because they were the last 2 bottles at a small liquor store, close-out sale yanno. At the prices people are asking for them now I would be extremely hesitant since I can get excellent Port Ellen Annuals cheaper!


Cheers!

[Admiral]

To me, the 1977 is many things:

1. It's the best expression of Ardbeg
2. It's one of the best whiskies I've ever tasted, from any distillery
3. It's a perfect example of how peat, complexity, malt, spirit, and oak combine.

Yes, it is worth it.

Cheers,
AD

[Deactivated Member]

What Admiral said.

[bamber]

Very very good, but not a favourite for me. Flawless, complex and perfectly integrated, but when I first tried it, it did not blow me away.

You know I think I actually prefer the new 1990 !! Sorry folks

[Scotchio]

I enjoyed a bottle of this when it originally came out,I had this ,the 1975 OB and the 10 on the go at the same time. The 75 was then peatiest earthiest whisky i have ever tasted,also quite dry, the 77 was a sweet fuller suppler more complex version of the 10 to me, better but not huge amounts of money better. They were early days in my interest in malts and I'm not sure i'd rate the current 10 as highly as the one from 6 years ago. In terms of overall balance I liked the original 17 yr old better. They're all good but I wouldn't pay more than £90 for the 77.

[hpulley]

Very very good, but not a favourite for me. Flawless, complex and perfectly integrated, but when I first tried it, it did not blow me away.

You know I think I actually prefer the new 1990 !! Sorry folks

I think I agree, though I've only had samples of both. The '77 didn't blow me away while I quite enjoy the Beist.

Harry

[hpulley]

I enjoyed a bottle of this when it originally came out,I had this ,the 1975 OB and the 10 on the go at the same time. The 75 was then peatiest earthiest whisky i have ever tasted,also quite dry, the 77 was a sweet fuller suppler more complex version of the 10 to me, better but not huge amounts of money better. They were early days in my interest in malts and I'm not sure i'd rate the current 10 as highly as the one from 6 years ago. In terms of overall balance I liked the original 17 yr old better. They're all good but I wouldn't pay more than £90 for the 77.

I love the peatiness of '75 Ardbeg, much prefer it to '77.

I really love the 17yo too and am glad to have a bottle of it open at the moment.

I still enjoy TEN but like you I'm enjoying it a little less of late. Still a top ranker overall.

Harry

[vitara7]

although the 77 is getting more expensive by the day almost, when you look at it in comparision to the price the single cask stuff coming out since lvmh took over, its not that bad... the new uk 1975 cask - £450 a bottle i seen it for, lfw i think it was.

[Scotchio]

What has happened to the 1970s Ardbeg prices is a shame especially when you think that 5 years ago you could get the 75 for £40,77 for £55 and OMC 70s bottles for £70. I still have a few of these but I wish I'd picked up more!
Obviously the 70s bottles from the original maltings have that massive peat depth usually attributed to the fanless kilns. I wonder if the heavily peated distillate produced under the new owners will recapture the heights/ depths of those 70s bottles in 15 years time?

[vitara7]

lets hope so, but in 15 years time, i think lvmh will have ardbeg way overpriced by then sadly...

[Deactivated Member]

I think the 1977 Ardbeg was flawless Ardbeg at its best. It costs a bundle today, for the reason it isn't available in stores any more. Sad, but this is what happens to things that are no longer readily available.

Would I pay £150 for a bottle and open it? No. I generally like to try whiskies of this price range in a bar if it is possible, one shot will allow me a taste without such an investment. If I buy a whisky for that kind of money, I am not buying it for drinking.

On the other hand, If I have purchased a whisky and its price goes up like this, I may open one and congratulate myself for making a good purchase when the stuff was available for a reasonable price.

I've got a few 1977's stashed away for that special day..or a week..

[Di Blasi]

Yes, it's good, and if you're an Ardbeg fan, it always nice to taste different expressions. When I first opened my bottle a few years back I was a bit let down, as whisky was still new to me, and I hadn't ventured out much from the Ardbeg Ten, and the '77 was quite soft compared to it. When I finally went back to it many months later, and many different whisky tastings later, I finally appreciated it, and I remember it as very milk chocolatey! Yes, it's good, get it if you can find it reasonable priced and your an Ardbeg fan.