Ardbeg 21 Year

This Ardbeg presents at 46% ABV, is non chill filtered, and displays a natural golden straw color. The background of this bottling is somewhat intriguing. Ardbeg sold 270 barrels to Chivas Brothers for blending purposes. These barrels remained in a storage facility for nearly twenty years without use. The current manager at Ardbeg, who was a distiller when the spirit was produced, repurchased the barrels. Only half of these barrels were utilized for this 21-year-old expression, leaving another 135 barrels available for future bottlings, potentially for a 25, 30, or older release. Initially, there's a powerful wave of peat smoke on the nose, though I suspect this is due to insufficient breathing time. It's earthy and vegetal with hints of aged leather. It quickly transforms into vanilla custard and buttercream, which is quite pleasant. Some fruits are present in the background, leaning towards more exotic varieties like mango and coconut. It's remarkably refined for an Ardbeg. The palate is gentle, again, for an Ardbeg. There are some wood spices, oak, and vanilla. Earthy peat with a touch of pepper. A slight hint of lemon zest is detected. A mild bitterness is present but not off-putting, alongside the expected smokiness. The texture is delightful. Very oily and mouthwatering. It starts out quite creamy as well. This creaminess fades with consumption, but the oiliness persists. The finish is extended and oily, smoky, and slightly peppery. Considering these barrels were intended for blending, it's likely they weren't of the highest quality, and possibly not first-fill. They were most likely second or perhaps third-fill, using less premium wood. The superior barrels would have remained with Ardbeg. I believe if first-fill barrels had been employed, this scotch would exhibit greater intensity. I'm not suggesting this is a poor offering by any means, as it's wonderful, but it feels like it could have been something more. Perhaps bottling it at cask strength would have elevated it. I'm setting aside the price, as it's difficult to justify $500 for a single bottle of any alcohol. The cost is attributed to its limited availability and its Ardbeg identity. I truly enjoyed the 2oz sample of this exceptionally rare whisky. While I'm tempted to award it a full 4.5, I believe 4.25 is a more accurate reflection. Cheers

I managed to acquire a bottle of the latest Ardbeg limited edition through Virginia's online rare and limited program. I was really eager to taste this after reading about it some months back. This is the Ardbeg 21 Year. It's bottled at a slightly higher 92 proof, is non-chill filtered, and has no color added. Worldwide, less than 8,300 bottles are available, and I keep telling myself I got it for a very fair $425. Online, I've seen it priced between $500 and $600. In the Glencairn, it presents a bright, straw yellow color and looks quite oily. After a swirl, it creates a thick film around the glass before settling back down with long, thin legs. I've let it rest for about 20 minutes and the aroma is still rather one-note—strong oak. There's not much peat present, but I suspect that's due to its age. It has started to fade significantly. The initial taste coats the tongue and spreads throughout the mouth. The characteristic peat finally emerges and is actually quite noticeable. Midway through, it bursts with rye pepper and oak spices. A touch of vanilla provides some cooling before a slight warmth arrives on the finish. Speaking of the finish, it's a leathery rye bite that, despite being somewhat brief, still feels oily. It's undeniably incredibly smooth. It lacks significant complexity, another factor I assume is lost with age and the absence of blending various finishing casks, unlike their recent NAS bottlings. It resembles a peaty, rye bourbon-like single malt. And it's a remarkably good one. The history of this release also enhances the overall experience. These casks were set aside while the distillery was struggling and changing ownership. Almost forgotten. I'm happy I could obtain this bottle and appreciate Ardbeg's current success while tasting a piece of its past when that success wasn't assured. I recommend trying a sip or getting a bottle if you see it. It's truly more than just a drink; it's an experience and a symbol of endurance. Cheers to you all.

Two samples were highly anticipated this week, and this was one of them (the other being the Cairdeas 2016). This ranks among my top three for the year. As soon as the sample vial was opened, the peat smoke was identifiable. It's not as intense or raw as the 10-year-old, but more sophisticated. I also just received my Norlan glasses today and wanted to use this sample for their debut. The liquid is a light gold color and exhibits significant legs, appearing very viscous and oily. It's truly remarkable. It requires some time to settle, much like a fine Pinot Noir, allowing it to breathe before truly appreciating its aromas and taste. The initial taste is unlike anything I've encountered before – a combination of lime, mango, and teriyaki, with a subtle hint of smoke. The smoke and peat become more pronounced with the second sip, building into an amazing tangy sweetness while still revealing its Ardbeg heritage. The characteristic peat emerges, but it's not overpowering. Instead, you experience a layered texture: tangy sweetness, followed by smoke and peat, then lime, lemon, and mango, concluding with an almost rye-like spice, though less intense. It's gentler and remarkably smooth. This is a rare pleasure – my gratitude to a friend for this experience! Absolutely stunning. In my opinion, only a handful of whiskies compare: a Brora 30, Rosebank 25, Macallan Fine Oak 15, Karuizawa, HW Midwinter, and now this. Thanks to a friend for a wonderful start to the holiday season.

What better occasion to finally open this bottle than my father's 80th birthday, for which I gifted him this along with two other bottles totaling eighty years in age. It presents a fascinating twist on an Ardbeg, with a pale straw color and a floral nose hinting at jasmine on this warm spring evening in London. A burst of citrusy flavors on the initial sip blossoms into an exceptionally strong amount of umami smoke and pepper that defies its age. A grilled mushroom taste lingers as long as you can wait between sips, accompanied by abundant, palate-drying tannins. More interesting than essential and questionable value for the price, but a worthwhile reference for fans of the distillery. For the record, I paired this with a 50-year-old blend from That Boutiquey Whisky Company and a Bowmore 9 for a gift amounting to 80 years of exceptional malt. There will be many happy returns.

The aroma offers butterscotch, peat smoke, and a whisper of damp earth, suggesting extended aging. Citrus, ripe pears, and gentle vanilla are also present. The taste was considerably more smoky than anticipated for a mature Islay whisky, finishing with a slightly sharp edge. Beyond the smoke, a sugary profile emerges, accented by white fruits like green apples, pears, and lemon, with subtle earthy undertones and a deeper floral hint. The finish is lengthy and persistent, featuring mild smoke and a subtle peppery, medicinal sharpness. Adding water enhances the vanilla and citrus notes in the aroma, introduces a creamy texture to the taste, and highlights baking spices while revealing the earthy character initially detected on the nose.

Sweet. Faint smoke. Raisins. An exceptionally long finish. Easy to drink. Expensive.