Ardbeg Alligator

Note: this is a review of the Committe Reserve bottling of the Ardbeg Alligator.

While I pour the last dram from my bottle of Alligator, I look up my tasting notes to see how I initially liked this. Only to find out that I have not yet published my tasting notes, while this was arguably the most anticipated release of 2011. Doh! Let us fix that. OK, let me start with a short expo. The name Alligator points to the look of the staves inside the heavily charred cask. I am sure you were already aware. In March 2011, the Committee Release (which I am emptying today) appeared, followed by the still easily obtainable general release in June 2011.

It is less peated than the 10 Year Old and has a much sweeter nose. Next to Wellington boots, sea salt and oysters, I get wonderful whiffs of marzipan and rhubarb jam, even some bitter orange marmalade. A big dose of liquorice and ginger. Water cress. Dried grass. And that wonderful A1 barbecue sauce that I always poured on my T-bone steak in the States. Ah, I love it.

The mouthfeel is round on apples and grapefruit with quite a bit of spice. Salt and sweet at the same time. Chili peppers, cinnamon and ribs on the BBQ (obviously coated in the delicious A1 sauce), loads of liquorice and a hint of vanilla. Enticing.

The fairly long finish continues on almonds and dries your mouth completely.

Like said, this was a very hyped release and it is more than good, definitely on par with the Rollercoaster. Bill Lumdsen also dropped hints that 2012 might see a Committee Release in 2012 of something he described as the ‘Son of Alligator’. Hmm, I wonder what he means by that? I am looking forward to it.

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