Ardbeg Anthology: The Harpy's Tale

Nose: Smoky like mezcal, cured ham, sea salt, lemon, white grape, caramel, and a touch of barley sugar. Diluting tones down the intensity while unifying the elements into a warm, pleasant character. It simplifies the profile delightfully. Palate: Sweet and smoky upon entry, with lush stone fruits (apricot, white peach), citrus (lemon, red grapefruit, lime), and dried grapes (sultanas, raisins). The smoke continues, evolving with notes of coal, wood, ash, and tarry licorice. Honey and melon emerge near the finish. A subtle vanilla thread harmonizes the smoke and citrus, balancing the components. The texture is smooth and rich. Like the nose, dilution reduces potency but creates a delicious blend of flavors. Finish: Medium/Long. Sweet, fruity smoke with grapefruit and honeyed-herbs lingering. An outstanding whisky, demonstrating masterful use of Sauternes casks. The thirteen years spent with fine Sauternes wood (likely ex-Château d'Yquem) impart exceptional depth and richness. This could have been an overwhelming wine influence, but blending it with an equal portion of bourbon-cask spirit (likely refill) created a perfect marriage. Excellent harmony and integration are key; no single element overpowers the complex profile. It's delicious neat and benefits from dilution. No longer available in my region except at auction. Given the very reasonable price, I regret not buying more. In fact, I wish I'd purchased a case. A superb modern Ardbeg (are 'great' and 'Ardbeg' interchangeable?). "Excellent": 88/100 (4.5 stars)

Nose features freshly cut grass, dry campfire smoke, and cigar ash, with subtle hints of jasmine or honeysuckle in the background. No peat, meat, or heat detected. The palate is exceptionally smooth, creamy, and rich, providing immediate mouthfeel coverage; flavors of sweet dried jerky, pear, dried apricot, and peat smoke (finally) meld into a wonderful combination that lasts for 20-30 seconds. The finish is short and dry, with the cigar ash reappearing and leaving a pleasant lingering sensation. A very good drink. That is, a very good drink unless you were specifically seeking an Ardbeg. This is the first Ardbeg I've encountered that I couldn't immediately identify as such. The grassy notes are absent, there's no oiliness or tartness, and the smoke is so muted and faint that its peated nature is questionable. Credit is due for not only deviating from the standard but doing so exceptionally. I am now actively searching for more bottles before they sell out.

This didn't impress me much. The nose offers faint traces of citrus, falling a bit flat. On the palate, it resembles Ardbeg's usual character but with a touch of orange sherbet, reminiscent of the orange Nesquik I craved as a kid. The finish is dry and herbaceous, featuring a hint of sage. I anticipated it being overly sweet, but it's actually too dry. Companions at the tasting seemed more enthusiastic, so I encourage you to try it yourself; however, this experience didn't make me eager for more.

A pleasant warmth on the palate with nice cereal notes, a hint of brine, salted caramel, lemon zest, and sweetness from grilled pineapple and apricot. Then, a strong wave of peat arrives, blending beautifully with sweet Sauternes notes. The finish is a medium length with a nice peppery character, plenty of peat, and lingering sugary sweetness. It's similar to another whisky but with a brighter fruit profile. I also appreciate the older age statement. A good release in my opinion!

The quintessential peat and sweet combination, where bacon and smoke meet yellow fruits. Nose: Bacon, apricots, pineapples, honey, smoke, walnuts, figs, sultanas, golden kiwis, coconuts, lemon meringue pie Palate: Bacon, sultanas, bananas, apricots, figs, mangoes, smoke, golden kiwis, yellow plums, lemon custard, grapefruit, Seville oranges, walnuts, mint chocolate Finish: Sultanas, mangoes, papayas, bacon, iodine, smoke, key lime pie, nutmeg, cinnamon, golden kiwis

Tasted without knowing the identity. Nose: smoky, sweet. Reminds me of Lagavulin. Taste: sweet, smoky, a faint medicinal aftertaste. Wood: Rating: Notes: Distillery? Lagavulin. Perhaps Ardbeg BizarreBQ, but that was sweeter and spicier, I believe.