Ardbeg Ar1 Elements of Islay Tasting Notes and Ratings.

Ardbeg Ar1 Elements of Islay

Added on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 10:21 AM

Bottler:

Speciality Drinks Ltd

Age:	N/A	Type:	Scotch
Vintage:	N/A	Subtype:	Single Malt
ABV:	58.70 %	Region:	Islay
Price:	$45	Availability:	Overseas Specialty

Member Ratings and Notes

Mike

I tried a second time and liked this much more on a fresh palate. Peat and sweet tobacco in the nose. A little freshness with it, like sea air. Sweetness increases on the palate, then broccoli. Then a little farm breeze -- sweet manure. Not bad, actually. Perhaps more like rotting grass and bitter green tea. The finish turns to coffee grinds and hint of caramel.

Dave

Tried all of there Elements together with this being the first of the group the first time and it was clearly the best.....the trouble is the second time this was the third in line and it was clearly not the best.... However, in any respect this one is fabulous.

Big Red gum (that first chew) and clean fresh cooked bacon. Along with a salty, earthy, dusty metallic goodness that is classic Ardbeg. Clearly younger but the cask strength really masks the youth and the huge cinnamon and cooked pork make this really yummy.

Chris

A very dirty and sooty style of peat smoke, style is more like a Caol Ila than an Ardbeg. I'm not a particular fan of that style, so that's lessening my enjoyment a bit. If tasted blind, however, I would not have been surprised if this had been revealed as a 15 year Caol Ila, it does have some complexity, but the high abv and sooty smoke dominate.

Andy

Candied ashes. Just great stuff.

B+/A-

Sku

Nose: Smoked meat

Palate: BBQ with sweet and smoky notes nicely balanced.

Finish: Smoke coming off the gril...and it lasts forever.

Good stuff.

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