Distiller:
Ardbeg
Region:
Islay
ABV:
54.2%
Colour:
Pale Straw
Review:
How does one even begin to review what is arguably the best single malt in the world from arguably one of the best distilleries in the world.
Of course the nose is peaty and full of smoke! But what a brilliant nose. Underneath all the peatiness lies the sweetest, most delicious aromas of a citrus pudding. On top are the salty, iodine sea waves that keep lashing the shore and give this malt the most delicious of all noses.
The palate is simply perfection. It is sweet. It is salty. It is strong. It is gentle. There is spice. There is sweetness. There are salty oils caressing juicy nectarines. I don’t know where to begin. After tastes of tobacco and leather remind me of sitting in a smoky gentleman’s club. Exactly the kind of place where the Uigeadail would feel right at home. Finally there is the faintest hint of aniseeds to round off what is most definitely the way whisky was intended to taste.
Rating : 96
The Malt Activist 
Wow! I was introduced to Ardbeg at Jim Murray tasting and fell in love with it. After reading your review, I’m excited to see this one out. What differentiates it from the standard Ardbeg?
Hi! Thanks for your comment!
I don’t know what a standard Ardbeg really is but if you mean the Ten yr old expression then this one is from the same family but with a lot more complex flavor profiles.
The Ten is a glorious expression (smoky, delicately sweet and quite a bit spicy!). The Uigeadail, by comparison has all the traits of the Ardbeg Ten but it brings with it a richness found only in mature malts. The delivery is more robust and the multitude of flavors wrestle and make this a far more interesting experience than the Ten.
Don’t get me wrong. The Ten is excellent. The Uigeadail sheer class.
Excellent, thanks!