Ardbeg 18 Year Old 1991 LMdW for Whiskylive Spa 2010

For Whisky Live Spa (Belgium, edition 2010), the big festival in the little town famed for its spas and hot water sources, the famous La Maison du Whisky bottled 30 decanters with this 18 Year Old Ardbeg, distilled in 1991. Since sherried Ardbeg is rather scarce, I count myself lucky.

The nose is a bit dirty (which is a good think) on ashes, leather seats from an old sports car, garden hose (or is it the tube of a bicycle tyre?) on the one hand versus rhubarb, figs, almonds and chocolate on the other. Hints also of salt and smoke, but all the way in the back. This one is mostly sweet. Coffee frappé.

On the palate, the typical Ardbeg traits remains aloof, while it offers a lot of sweetness. Almonds and dried dark fruits, dades wrapped in bacon and again coffee frappé. Slowly but surely the sweet peat and seaweeds kick in. Nice balance. No water is needed.

More of the same in the long finish.

Wow, this is great Ardbeg on sherry. Just enough peat and just enough sherry to not turn it into an extreme fellow. Thanks, Arnout! Last saw this at an auction in May 2012, where it changed hands for 240 EUR.

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