Ardbeg 10 Year Old

You may have heard of them before, a little distillery called Ardbeg on the coast of Islay. As I was talking to my dear friend a day or two ago, I mentioned that I was writing a review of Ardbeg Blasda. A good memory being one of his finer qualities, he asked why I’d chosen to review Renaissance and Blasda, but not the more common 10 year old expression. The thought hadn’t really crossed my mind before, but when he mentioned it did seem rather obvious that I ought to. So let’s take a look at it, shall we? It certainly does deserve it.

From everything I’ve written about Ardbeg so far it will probably be quite obvious that I am yet another member of their fan club. They make fantastic whiskys, and this is by no means an exception. If you haven’t read my review of Blasda yet, I would suggest doing so before continuing on with this article – it will give a clearer picture of Ardbeg and their characteristics, it is also a better starting point if you want to delve into the world of Ardbeg and heavily peated whiskys for the first time.

If you’re a fairly regular whisky drinker, you will be able to pick up many of the same flavors and scents in the 10 year old expression as they are so clearly present in the Blasda. The smell will at first be heavily dominated by salty, peaty smoke – but as you come back again, and again, you will begin to pick up hints of lemon juice, caramelized sugar, perhaps vanilla and ripe, fried plantain. The palate starts out much in the same peaty fashion, with a touch of sweetness; you will also taste herbs and saltwater taffy. The nose and palate alike are incredibly well balanced and smooth, beautiful as a summer breeze riffling through the hair of a young woman in an Islay sunset.

Color: Straw, white wine.

Nose: Strong peaty smoke, salt, lemon juice, vanilla, fried plantain.

Taste: Strong peaty smoke, fruity sweetness, herbs and saltwater taffy.

Want to buy this whisky? Available in: USA & World (click), UK & Europe (click)