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Ardbeg Lord of the Isles

Old-style, more refined than modern Ardbeg

0 1092

@WhiskyNotesReview by @WhiskyNotes

4th Apr 2010

0

Ardbeg Lord of the Isles
  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    92

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

Nose: starts quite shy and mostly fruity. After being warmed up, it shows a remarkably gentle and elegant character. Very leathery, with mellow peat smoke, orange marmalade, yellow apples, marzipan, warm cake… Subtle hints of boat rope and tar. A light layer of earthy and farmy notes. Some tobacco. Overall very complex, very integrated and a masterpiece of balance. Jim Murray says there’s a light soapiness on the nose – I don’t agree, although there’s a noticeable floweriness.

Mouth: still quite some fruits, a tad more tropical and sweeter than on the nose (lime). More peat and smoke now. Leather and tobacco again. Walnuts. Some spices (pink pepper). Lightly salted.

Finish: long, drier, smoky and slightly medicinal. Hints of chalk.

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10 comments

@jdcook
jdcook commented

I found this to be the most delicate Islay dram I've ever come across. A lot more subtle than the more punchy modern style from Ardbeg (which I also enjoy). Very easy to drink even for beginners, and quite complex and interesting. One of the few drinks that manages to be close to all things to all people. I'd recommend it to anyone, but it doesn't come cheap...

14 years ago 0

@LeFrog
LeFrog commented

Cheers, I've been looking for a review of this. How would you rate it for value against other Ardbeg expressions?

14 years ago 0

@WhiskyNotes
WhiskyNotes commented

Difficult to say because it's not available any more. If you find a bottle somewhere, prices vary greatly. I think it's pretty good value considering the fact that other 1970's Ardbeg expressions are single casks and they will easily fetch the double.

14 years ago 0

@PeatAndMeat
PeatAndMeat commented

I was lucky enough to get a sample of this through a friend and I concur with @jdcook - it's very subtle, soft peat. Lovely dram.

14 years ago 0

@AlbaGuBrath
AlbaGuBrath commented

This dram is so beautiful it almost brought a tear to my eye when I tasted it at the distillery. Based on that experience I'd say 8.5 is far too low, but obviously I'll have to retaste it under more mundane circumstances before writing a contesting review.

14 years ago 0

@Getafix
Getafix commented

I have 3 bottles of this, you can get it, but it is getting ever more expensive, mine were about £70 but I believe it is about £200 now. A very mature and mellow Ardbeg, it is great compared next to Very young, Still Young and Almost there!

13 years ago 0

@SquidgyAsh
SquidgyAsh commented

Sadly the only bottles I've seen in Australia that are available run for around $800 AUS and The Whisky Exchange in the UK has it for I think 650 pounds. I just got to try this the other day at $50 buck a shot, but completely worth it. A LOVELY Whisky.

12 years ago 0

@jdcook
jdcook commented

It's one of those 'try before you die' malts.

12 years ago 0

@SquidgyAsh
SquidgyAsh commented

Indeed it is my friend. I doubt I could ever justify the purchase to my wife or even of myself of an $800 dollar bottle. I do believe I can justify a purchase of another round of it next time I'm at the bar. It was lovely as could be.

12 years ago 0