Review: Ardbeg 10 Year old - Man enough now! Part 1

Piero

Distiller:

Ardbeg

Bottle:

Reviewer:

Date:

28th Oct 2009

2009-10-28T13:14:00

Region:

Islay

ABV:

46%

Review:

I tried some Islay whiskies when I first got into malts and I'm not embarrassed to admit I found them a little aggressive on the peat. Whilst Ardbeg wasn't one of them, I mention it because I recently decided to dip my toe back into the Islay waters. I bought this and a bottle of Laphroaig 10 year old (also reviewed) for starters.

The good news is my taste buds have grown up and are now more than ready! To my surprise flavours I may previously have written off as being too full-on revealed themselves in potent and yet somehow subtle layers of complexity.

Ardbeg 10 has the expected hit of smokey peat but this is balanced by a lovely sweetness giving way to a salty finish. The overall combination of flavours is truly delicious, well balanced and rewarding.

I haven't been to Islay but I felt breathing in the wind coming off the sea would feel like this.This whisky has a sense of place.

I love it and I can't wait to delve deeper into the Ardbeg range.

Rating:

7.5 / 10

Colour:

Young Sauternes

Tags:

  • Nose
  • Body

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Comments

666ppm profile - image

666ppm wrote:

Only 7.5 points? Shame on you ;-)

28 October 2009 16:12
jdcook profile - image

jdcook wrote:

Yeah, the big strong peaty whiskies are difficult to deal with for many when you start out. But when you come back to them after trying several other whiskies, it all starts to fall into place...

28 October 2009 21:48
Piero profile - image

Piero wrote:

"666ppm - on 28th Oct 2009 Only 7.5 points? Shame on you ;-)"

Got to leave some head room for the £200 bottles I may one day try!

29 October 2009 15:59

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