Ardbeg Anamorphic

Another limited batch from Ardbeg, packed with promotion, and naturally, people like me continue to purchase their products. While I've been critical lately of this renowned distillery, it seems they've taken notice of certain whisky fans' feedback. Here's a spoiler for this review: this spirit was truly incredible. Ardbeg Anamorphic presents a story in high definition. It's described as a "multidimensional" spirit. The supposed method involves removing and separately charring the barrel heads, along with heavily charring ex-bourbon casks to achieve an "High Mocha" effect, which sounds fabricated. It's bottled at 48.2% ABV. The nose is fantastic and exceptionally intriguing. The scents are meant to transport you to a place of memories, and the first thing Anamorphic brought to mind was the scent of the gas used to refill my home's air conditioning. Dark chocolate followed, with hints of moss and grass. It's aromatic and spicy. After airing out, it offered notes of plastic, latex, and a fresh can of tennis balls. It also developed a lactic quality, reminiscent of homemade dulce de leche. Truly impressive. The palate was exceptional. It begins sweet and lactic with vanilla and chocolate milk. Then, it transforms into a "matahambre," a popular pork cut for barbecues in Ecuador. The finish was beautiful. Very peaty and robust, with notes of moss and rubber. Overall, I must admit, I was astonished by how excellent this is. I shared it with several friends, and it was the undisputed favorite of the evening. This is Ardbeg in prime form. It's important to note: they've succeeded with a pseudo-limited release this time. My rating for each category is 24 points, resulting in a total of 96 out of 100.

Enjoyable, but not on par with the 2012 Ardbeg Day release. Nose: Vanilla, Caramel, Bacon, Iodine, Pork Ribs, Barbecue, Smoke, Dark Chocolate, Peaches, Figs, Chili Peppers Palate: Dark Chocolate, Chili Peppers, Aniseed, Vanilla, Coal, Caramel, Iodine, Mackerels, Salted Cod, Smoke Finish: Grapefruit, Caramel, Vanilla, Peaches, Cherries, Iodine, Smoke

The aroma is faint compared to the Ardbeg I'm accustomed to, but still pleasant. It has a beautiful peat flavor, and though thinner than expected, it doesn't diminish the experience. A hint of salt and a sparkling finish. A solid expression.

Nose: Very faint hints of smoke, fruit, and floral notes. Taste: Light, with notes of vanilla and a touch of smoke. Finish: More smoke with a bit of pepper, but still smooth.

A subtle tangy vanilla sweetness elevates this to an extraordinary level.