Ardbeg Dark Cove

I know this has been reviewed a lot on here but thought I'd add my 2p worth. This is only the 46.5% version - would have preferred the CS version.

Nose hits immediately with treacle, plums, black fruit and a bit of liquorice. Initially it's easy to miss the smokiness but that soon comes through the sweet fruit. As we go on we start to get the classic Ardbeg dry, briney, peatiness. But the sherry influence is never far away and evolves to sharper red berry notes. It even triggers thoughts of Christmas Cake and marzipan.

Palate is a nice marriage of plum pudding and smoke. Toffee-liquorice, treacle and black fruit notes all come together under a flambéed umbrella. Still salty and dry underneath it all.

Dryness is most apparent on the finish but the sweetness from the sherry lasts with it.

I really like this but the question is - is it better than Uigeadail? It is not far off twice the cost but it's definitely not twice as good. Think I need to try the two back-to-back to decide where this sits. I do rate it as far better value than my just-reviewed Auriverdes however.

Find where to buy Ardbeg whisky