Ardbeg Very Young Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Note: Bottle in excellent condition with good fill level but it has no neck tag.

Since the distillery re-opened in 1977, many Ardbeg enthusiasts have been keen to sample the products ‘work in progress’. Ardbeg’s “Wee Peat Monster” has now arrived. Drawn entirely from first-fill casks, this is a six year old bottling of Ardbeg and the first of a series of annual bottlings from the same distillate. Next year will see a 7 year old expression, an eight year old will follow in 2006. This will continue until 2008 when the series reaches the more familiar 10 year old bottling. Each time a very limited number of bottles will be released. This “Young” whisky is unchill-filtered and bottled at a boisterous 58.3%. Vigorous in nature, the Ardbeg Very Young is full of peat, burnt wood smoke and sea salt developing into a fruity finish.

Tasting notes: A very peaty nose, probably too peaty. A real Ardbeg, sometimes missing nuances and subtlety. The palate deals with a serious whisky. Not necessarily with a subtle one. The young age has probably a great influence on this impression. The time will certainly contribute to enhance the complexity of this malt, promising, not yet ripe however. The finish is rather pleasant, long, slightly acid, and the whole makes it a good whisky. 58.3% Alc./Vol. Distilled 1998 – Bottled 2004.