Ardbeg Dark Cove (2016 Committee Release)

My partner reminded me today that I bought this bottle two weeks ago but had not opened it, and she made it clear that was the first thing we'd do once we got home. I love her! Fortunately, Dark Cove meets my expectations, and then some. It's a bit unlike Uigeadail, but within the Ardbeg lineup, the two share the closest family resemblance. As soon as I poured it, this scotch filled the room with Ardbeg smoke brightened by sherry. It's rich, medicinal, with a distinctly nutty quality at times (peanut, or cashew, a fatty nut), and toasted wood chips. The palate starts out quite salty and oily, with an ideal texture and viscosity for a scotch. It makes other drams seem watery in comparison. Molasses and honey are there in spades, thick and mouth-coating. The finish lights up with honeyed smoke, barbecue, iodine, and that dark chocolate characteristic of the best peated whiskies. It also has a vindaloo level of spicy heat at the end, although it doesn't manifest as a burn, just a perfect level of warmth. The Dark Cove name is an apt metaphor for the scotch -- it's like ducking under a stone outcropping and huddling by a fire to shelter from a seastorm. Whether it's worth the substantial premium over Uigeadail (which is $80-85 in most liquor stores) is debatable, but it's a top-notch dram all the same.

**Note:** This review is a brief impression, not my usual detailed analysis. The sample was provided at Whiskyfest DC on 4/17/18. These reviews will not have scores, and I intend to revisit them for a more thorough evaluation later. This was a definite highlight of the festival, even with my palate likely fatigued from a late-night seminar. While I felt the standard Dark Cove wasn't distinct enough from a typical Ardbeg 10 to justify a separate release, the Committee Edition was a significant improvement. The sherry influence was quite prominent, nicely balanced by the signature Ardbeg smoke, and the higher proof intensified all the scents and flavors from the initial aroma to the extended finish. I could easily see this earning 4.5 stars. It might be difficult to find a bottle now, but I'd be tempted if I saw one at a fair price. Cheers.

KABOOOM, A 100-POINT WHISKY RIGHT HERE. Oh my god, this was perfect. I am a member of the Ardbeg Committee but have never had one of these special releases. Well, as you can already imagine, it was an incredible experience. This is the review for the Dark Cove 110, since the "93" is the regular one. It's called 110 because of its alcohol proof, meaning it has 55% ABV. Amazing dark chestnut color. It is the darkest Ardbeg ever, which is why it has this name. On the nose: Is this sherry with peat!? Smells WONDERFUL. The sherry notes battle this bacon/buttery peat. Blackberry marmalade with peat. No alcohol scent on the nose, Strawberry marmalade. Amazing. On the palate: thick Blackberry marmalade With peat. Raisins and strawberries, hold it on the palate until it burns like fire. Chili. Aftertaste is strong but super pleasant. Long peppery ashy finish. Overall, this is perhaps the best whisky I have had in 2019 so far. It will definitively make my top ten in December and should be found and bought. 100 out of 100, SLAINTE MHATH, friends.

Nose - Lightly earthy, briny sea smoke, a tiny hint of fresh rubber, a hint of dark chocolate cocoa nibs, burnt/caramelized raisins. Taste - Beach campfire smoke, like a campfire burning damp, seawater-soaked wood, briny dark chocolate covered raisins, a hint of rubber, dark red wine poached prunes, a tingle of white pepper/cayenne pepper spice. Finish - Lingering salty sweet smoke, a peppery tingle, salty sweet bitter chocolate. Score - 76/100 Final Thoughts - This peated Scotch is more manageable for me. As I'm not generally a big fan of peated whiskies, this was quite drinkable, though I need to be in the right mood for it. It evokes the feeling of being on a beach by the sea with a campfire, accompanied by a charcuterie board of smoked ham, aged salty cheeses, dark chocolate, and dark dried prunes and raisins. The peat is very tolerable here, but the persistent saltiness is a bit off-putting. I'd likely have this as one of my last drinks of the night to avoid the lingering smoked salt finish.

While I'm sad that we're seeing more and more NAS special releases at higher prices, if it's good, I won't hold the lack of an age statement against it (can't say the same for the price). And this is quite good. If I were to point someone to a whisky with an oily mouthfeel, this would be the one. The nose is all honey with shy hints of peat and brine. On the palate, pears, peat, and that sweet honey slowly build and make themselves known with a confidence you can expect from Ardbeg. Those slowly fade into a delightful punch of tartness followed by a rush of saliva that is just trying to figure out what's going on. The sweet honeyed peat sits on the roof of your mouth with a small campfire to keep it warm. And it stays there indefinitely.

THIS is the ultimate! My first taste prompted an enthusiastic shout. It has everything I seek in a whisky. This is my perfect pour. If I could only have one bottle forever, this would be my choice. The nose and palate are exceptional. Beyond the familiar elements of their Uigeadail bottling, it offers a fantastic, rich, and peppery steak-like quality. There's an abundance of salty character and deep chocolate-covered cherries. For me, it perfectly balances sweet and savory. I can't praise this dram enough. My sincere gratitude for the sample exchange.