Ardbeg 1990 Airigh Nam Beist

750mL scored at a hole in a wall in Maryland for $130 a bottle. Alright, sounds good to me seeing that DC bottle shops will try to dupe you into paying $250 for a bottle of Supernova and $150 for a bottle of Corryvreckan.

The Beast pours super pale straw with beads forming quickly with a swirl and thin, delicate legs.

Nose is more Highland than I was expecting with spiced golden pears, muted bacon fat, yellow apple pie, lightly smoky wood. Fresher, inviting nose. No intense peat or near formaldehyde smell that can sometimes come through with Islay scotch.

Taste is oily and very nutty with huge macadamia nut and Brasil nut fat and bitter husk.

Finish is quick, small esophagus heat, leaving a trail of roasted nuts and fatty oil. Very delicate and lovable with no real smoke or peat presence. Very muted saltwater brine and char. I would say if you are a Highland fan and scared of Islay, this may be a nice compromise.

I will say that my relationship with Ardbeg started me off in love with Corryvreckan and not a big fan of the Uigeagail. Now I find myself sometimes wanting Corryvreckan and always wanting the Uigeagail. The latter is meaty and spicy and hugely satisfying with a lot of body and presence. The 1990 is so soft and pear heavy it's tough to say it is better than the Uigeagail, which I'm starting to think is actually the best Ardbeg and therefore the best Scotch in the world.

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