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Ardbeg Blasda

Lightly peated lightweight

0 682

@Pierre_WReview by @Pierre_W

20th Feb 2016

0

Ardbeg Blasda
  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    82

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Ardbeg Blasda was released in 2008 and is different from other Ardbeg expressions for a number of reasons. Firstly, at 8ppm it is lesser-peated; secondly, it is chill-filtered whereas other expressions are not; and thirdly, the ABV of 40% is the lowest of all Ardbeg releases. In Gaelic, “Blasda” means “sweet and delicious”.

The nose starts with distinct milk and porridge flavours, then turns fruity with notes of lemons, vanilla, apples and a hint of pineapple. Smoke is quite prominent, much more than I would have expected given the low ppm level.

The palate is light-bodied, clean and just a tad spicy. There is not much smoke there now, but the fruity flavours are back – this time lemons, peaches, vanilla – followed by a hint of nuts.

The finish is of medium length, spicy and pleasantly warming. The lemon flavours make another appearance, together with smoke and pepper and followed by notes of coffee.

I was looking forward to the Blasda experience and indeed this was interesting to taste, however in the end it did not really work for me. The nose was pleasant but in my opinion the palate is too light and tasted almost a bit diluted. Clearly, Ardbeg Blasda is not my first choice for lightly-peated single malts.

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6 comments

@Pandemonium
Pandemonium commented

Had a drop of Blasda after a glass of Corryvreckan at the distillery, to me it tasted like a liquid twinky.

8 years ago 0

MrFathom commented

An Arbeg at 40% and chill-filtered sounds like an oxymoron. Personally enjoyed the Perpetuum didn't buy a bottle, but left a good impression. I hear the next one Ardbeg is releasing will be called Dark Cove. Hope it is good one and released at reasonable price especially if no age is stated. The Uigeadail Is like if a peat wave hit me.

8 years ago 0

MrFathom commented

"Ardbeg" my bad. My spelling sheeeesh!!!!!!

8 years ago 0

@Pierre_W
Pierre_W commented

@Pandemonium, you might have a point there. The Corryvreckan would be a tough act to follow for any lightly peated single malt, but then Blasda really is a bit watery.

8 years ago 0

@Pierre_W
Pierre_W commented

Thanks for your comment, @MrFathom. I have high hopes for Dark Cove as it apparently will have been exclusively matured in ex-sherry casks. That's the good stuff right there! Let's see how it will compare with Uigeadail. Perpetuum was disappointing but still I bought two bottles. Slainte!

8 years ago 0

@Ol_Jas
Ol_Jas commented

@Pierre_W, why two if it was disappointing?

8 years ago 0