Ardbeg 17 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - No Box

Of all the world’s many whiskies, it is the peaty, smoky single malts of the Scottish Hebridean Isle of Islay which are considered the most challenging yet natural. And of the few distilleries on the island, Ardbeg is perhaps the pre-eminent. Earthy and old fashioned, too intense for blenders, Ardbeg’s pungent iodine aromatics and firm yet perfectly balanced, smoky, peaty palate make it an undoubted classic. Ardbeg has earnt its reputation as the ultimate Islay experience.

Ardbeg Single Islay Malt is the most phenolic of all the Islay whiskies. Its secret however is that the peat is never flaunted - it just simply isn't allowed to dominate the taste or the nose of the whisky. This allows the complexity, balance and sweetness of Ardbeg to express itself in a surprisingly subtle way. Balance is at the heart of Ardbeg's uniqueness. And this balance manifests itself across the NOSE, TASTE and FINISH of the whisky. On the nose, you get the gentlest of peats, yet deep and confident with an enticing sweetness - a healthy mixture of malts and vanillins. Vaguely salty and very complex with the oak present but very much in harness. Just a hint of bourbon and an even fainter hint of tangy orange to widen the spectrum. Taste - There is a much greater presence of peat in the taste than the nose suggests. The smokiness quickly hits the palate and then tapers off. That said, the middle shows an excellent 'chewy' malt alongside a touch of cocoa. Finish - The peat returns and guarantees an enormously long finale. The taste of the malt clings on and the hints of liquorice and dry toast are detected. This form of oakiness continues but never becomes sappy or too dry as the peat balances this out beautifully. 40% Alc./Vol.