ABV: 54.1 %
Origin: Islay
Type: Single Malt
Bottles in collection: 0
Emptied bottles: 0
Impression: 5/5

Tasting notes
Nose: This is sweet and peaty. At first there’s a mix of heavy, ashy peat together with vanilla and oak. The emphasis is on the peat. It settles down a bit after a few minutes in the glass. There’s a peppermint freshness on top and an unscented lotion note somewhere in the middle. There’s also a complexity within which comes through as a mix of pears, honey and coastal notes, which give it a salty touch. The peat also delivers a medicinal side with a hint of iodine. The oakiness moves out towards the sides along the way. This is a great, typical ardbeggian nose with a nice peat punch as the main attraction.

Mouth: It starts out with a mild spicy kick and a medicinal note before the ashy peat and oak notes return. The sweetness arrives shortly after with vanilla, honey and now also a liquorice note. The fruitiness is still in there but it’s a background note which doesn’t add too much to the experience. There’s a savory side to it as well. The coastal notes are in there but are not as pronounced as on the nose. It feels slightly less balanced in taste than on the nose.

Finish: The spicyness increases and there’s a chili kick to it. The savory note and a sprinkle of dust stays in the center and the fruity pear note appears once again. The sweet notes flare up but subsides rather quickly and leaves the peatiness in its full glory with ashy, medicinal qualities as well as a salty coastal side. The oakiness is attached to the peaty notes and it takes a good while for it to shine. It’s a nice coconut and vanilla oak which gives it a nice and pleasant late finish. This is a fantastic whisky which sits firmly within the Ardbeg house style. It’s aggressive yet sweet, warm and welcoming.

Additional information
This whisky was distilled in 1998 and bottled in 2007. It’s the third release in a series that lead up to the Renaissance 10 YO. It’s aged in ex-bourbon barrels. It’s unchillfiltered and has natural colour.

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