Ardbeg Perpetuum Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.

A double whammy for the distillery's 'Ardbeg Day' creation for 2015, which also celebrates its 200th anniversary.

Perpetuum is a vatting of young and old Ardbeg from ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. Absent of much of the superfluous marketing of previous Ardbeg Day releases, Bill Lumsden has instead let the whisky do the talking.  Only 12,000 bottles produced worldwide.

Tasting note: Bright, pale straw/gold colour. Lifted bouquet is fresh, assertive and multi-faceted ranging from smokey vanilla cream, choc fudge through to boot polish, damp earth, sea spray, split pine, smoked ham, baked citrus and more. Three or four minutes settles the aroma down as smouldering pine, cocoa and vanilla. Almost endlessly complex. Entry is smokey and mezcal-like. Mid palate is medium dry, intense and captivating; a delicious sooty/oily/salty vanilla-malt combo fans out across the tongue with a slow motion salt and pepper surge. Finish is fresh, salty, lipsmacking, fruity yet keenly dry then ashy and light but prolonged. Fisherman's friend in the fade. Must try Ardbeg. 47.4% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... A rumbustious malt with tar, coal dust, peat smoke and creosote - as you'd expect of Ardbeg, but tamed with honey, pineapple, chocolate and creamy custard 4.5 Stars - www.diffordsguide.com