🥃 Whisky Auctioneer

I respect anyone who would guess an Ardbeg in a blind tasting. 86-90 – Wow, really good one, needs a bottle

EYE/NOSE Deep, dark, red-brownish shimmering amber tone. Comparatively restrained peat smoke on the nose. A fine carpet is probably the most appropriate. Instead, strong sherry aromas and a maritime-salty freshness lead. Tobacco leaves lead to the typical Ardbeg herbal aromas. I note some lovage, freshly grated nutmeg, a hint of powdered cinnamon and cloves. Then it becomes floral. softwoods! These resinous-floral notes are interwoven with coffee aromas. A freshly brewed, fragrant caffè crema in a small clearing in a dense coniferous forest. With time and a little patience, there are even fine fruit notes - a few isolated oranges and black currants join the complex aromas of our 17er. PALATE Oi, the 53% ABV are extremely cleanly integrated. Great, warm, slightly oily mouthfeel. Ardbeg as it should be. Salty, iodine, nutty-sweet and fresh. The Ardbeg smoke carpet, which is at best announced in the nose, is now thick as expected. The noticeable sherry elements of the malt are closely intertwined with the now powerful smoke. Pleasantly light, a little malty sweetness and oak spice. The nutty flavor takes up more space on the palate, along with dark cocoa, strong roasted notes and a little gravy. There is also a fine, sweet and sour note reminiscent of balsamic cream and smoked lemons and kumquats. Last but not least I notice some tar and especially soot before the malt slowly starts to reverberate. FINISH/CONCLUSION Fits! 100% clean sherry cask. Nothing here reminds of sulphur. The long-lasting finish offers the full range that one can expect from a smoky Sherry Ardbeg of this age with a clear conscience. Notes of coffee, some fruit, lots of peat smoke, roasted aromas again, but now darker than on the palate. Smoke and soot again. Towards the end it becomes dry and chalky-mineral, a note that lengthens the aftertaste like a dream. A very decent smoker, although not quite as complex and balanced as I subconsciously wished for. Ardbeg likes to describe his malts as the smokiest and most complex of all Islay whiskies. What I might miss out on here is the sherry fruitiness and above all the almost proverbial sweetness that used to coin the term 'peaty paradox'. criticism at a high level. More notes and reviews on Facebook at: #Maltkanzlei

Still surprisingly smoky for 17 years. Ardbeg OA Single Casks have never been a disappointment, and this one is no exception. Dark fruits, leather, cassis and blackcurrant, plus a good portion of smoke. If it weren't for the price...

UNIQUE HISTORY OF THE BARREL Cask No. 5471 is an elegant Ardbeg with notes of sherry that combines aromas of toffee, spices and smoky notes. This whisky was distilled on Tuesday 29th November 2005 under the watchful eye of dedicated Distillery Manager Stuart Thomson. It was then matured in a second fill Oloroso sherry cask, carefully selected to add subtle sherry notes to Ardbeg's signature smoke. This cask would actually have been destined for the Ardbeg Uigeadail, a legendary bottling that was first released in 2003 and is loved for its pronounced raisin notes. However, as it matured, the whisky's balance caught the attention of Dr. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg's Director of Whisky Creation. And he put the barrel aside for extra long aging. Now, after more than 17 years of aging, the whisky has reached an exceptional peak. It combines sherry flavors of figs, toffee and cloves with notes of pine needles, lemon balm and soot, making it a deliciously harmonious Ardbeg.

Mega brutal again! The scent alone is intoxicating. Great taste.

Ardbeg 17 yo 2005/2023 2nd fill Oloroso Sherry Butt #5471 Ardbeg Day 53% ???? I have not seen many Ardbegs darkee than this; may be 8-10. ???? A single cask matured in a 2nd fill Oloroso cask, this Ardbeg did not make it into Uigeadail vatting because Dr. Bill felt it is a special cask. ???? Not a very smoky Ardbeg but bonfire embers, rum soaked raisins, dates, mushroom, rich spices especially cinnamon, cloves & nutmeg. A good amount of herbal tea in the backdrop with slightly menthol aromas. In the palate, figs, wood spices & wild honey galore. Very much a cask influenced Ardbeg with the dark fruits’ flavour & spicy aromas. Salted caramel, muscavado sugar, with that Ardbeg peat in the backdrop but very elegant. Texture is rich, oily, mouth coating & luscious. Wow! Wonderful texture! Notes of beef stock, walnut bread & balsamic vinegar with some earthy rounded notes. Sooty finish with some beeswax, furniture polish, bonfire smoke. ???? This is exactly my dream islay whisky matured in a sherry cask. Not too sweet, not too peaty, nothing in excess but the age, ABV & everything work in tandem to lift this. This Ardbeg is a 92/100 for me. Very luxurious feel with an orchestra of flavours. ????