Prior to this week, it had been a while since I indulged in Ardbeg. I managed to goad the wife into finally dipping her toes into more of our Ardbeg samples, and I find myself in the midst of a passing Ardbeg storm.  I had sworn off independently bottled Ardbeg for a while— it always felt like a disappointment given the price.  I have come around a bit this week, though I struggle to tell you where to reliably find bottles at a good value, but one can do a lot worse than the handful that the Thompson Brothers and Decadent Drinks (Whisky Sponge/Whisky Land) have put out this year.

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Whisky: Ardbeg 14 Year (2008), The Whisky Sponge “Kildalton Single Malt”

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 60%

Cask: Refill Sherry Butt

Age: 14 Years (Distilled 2008, Bottled 2023)

Notes: Coastal and brooding, the aroma spoke to wind-swept beaches, flickering oil lamps, chimney smoke, and tarry ropes. Brine and minerals hung in the background while tobacco danced with medicinal notes of camphor, menthol, horehound, cinnamon, and cracked black pepper. Medium-bodied and oily, the flavors were rugged and untamed with peppery spirit and peat landing in the briny surf and billowing smoke. Wet burlap, or soaked hessian, appeared with tarry ropes, smoked kippers, a hint of tobacco, and a dash of camphor and menthol. The influence of the sherry cask was only felt around the edges with hints of fruit accenting sweet smoked fish. The finish was medium to long with brine, pepper, and a touch of smoked fish.

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Score: 7 (85)

Mental Image: Galley Snacks in the Storm

Conclusion: This was a beastly match up between a smokey, phenolic malt and a sturdy sherry cask. The refill sherry butt was a good match for the malt emphasizing sweeter notions of smoked fish and cinnamon around the edges while briny, medicinal notes crashed in the center.  This was robust fare and I enjoyed some of the unapologetic peppery qualities of the whisky. Overall, lovely stuff— the wife was a fan as well and found it a bit sweeter with more sherried fruits and a bit less tar.