Ardbeg Dark Cove

The narrative and designation for this NAS offering evoke images of old American South moonshiners: Islanders discreetly landing supplies on Islay's rocky shores under the cloak of night to distill fresh "hooch." Ardbeg claims this is their darkest whisky ever released, and my observations confirm this. Instead of the typical pale yellow, this one exhibits a deeper, golden hue. It's oily and leaves numerous long, thin legs on the Glencairn glass. It smells much like any other Ardbeg: salty and smoky, though with a touch more sweetness. The smoke is initially restrained on the palate. The sherry cask influence takes prominence, which is somewhat unusual for most Ardbegs I've encountered. It's like melted toffee folded into an oily rag used to extinguish a campfire. Very rich, but not overly complex. The finish is also subdued for an Ardbeg, yet exceptionally smooth. The smoke is complemented by a slight bitterness and warmth, preventing it from dissipating quickly. It lingers until the alcohol's burn fades. Overall, I don't believe this significantly deviates from a standard Ardbeg offering. It lacks the experimental blending of Uigeadail or Corryvreckan, placing it on par with the 10 year old. This raises the question: "Why was this a special release?" It would make sense if this were whisky younger than 10 years, intended to introduce a NAS product comparable to the standard expression. That's where this falls short – I shouldn't have to pay $100 for something so similar in flavor to the 10 year old. It's good, just too uninspired for a special release. I suspect that's why it remains on many store shelves. I wish I had passed on it as well. The 10 year old is a 4-star whisky in my opinion, so I'm deducting one star due to the excessive cost for this bottle. I feel that's fair. Cheers, my friends.

A while back, I had the pleasure of trying the renowned Ardbeg Dark Cove Committee Release, a popular whisky favored by some enthusiasts. This time, I obtained the standard release, matured in "Dark Sherry Casks" (a term that seems fabricated, as I couldn't verify it) and bottled at 46.5% ABV. This was the special release for Ardbeg's Day 2016. It exhibits a dark caramel hue. The nose presents all the beloved, intense aromas that peat enthusiasts cherish: hints of old socks, iodine, tennis balls, a shoe box, and... passion fruit? It smells precisely like a sporting goods store in a mall. After a few sips, it offered notes of chocolate and brownies. Extended aeration revealed an aroma of a fish market and smoked salmon. Superb. The palate is a blend of sherry and peat. Flavors of plastic, earthiness, salt, and red fruit syrup are present. It has a pleasant burst of pepper. Strawberries are definitely a discernible note here. The finish was the highlight. It begins with notes of burnt hay and cigarettes, evolving into a bonfire with intense fireworks. Gunpowder and rubber are present. It's akin to chewing on the head of an 80s "He-Man" action figure. Quite an experience. Overall, this was a memorable dram from start to finish. The intensity of the peaty notes is well-balanced with the red fruitiness from the sherry casks. A beautiful single malt, scoring 93 out of 100.

I'm wary of Scotches bearing the name “Dark.” They suggest youth and corner-cutting. So, I'll venture a guess that this Ardbeg is primarily 10 years old, with a finishing period in PX seasoned casks. This has become a quite sought-after Ardbeg Day special release, appealing to whisky reviewers who favor straightforward flavors. A peat powerhouse AND a sherry bomb, enhanced by PX influence. Who could resist? Not me. Heavily peated distillate aged in a sherry cask requires considerable time to develop natural cohesion. This spirit, conversely, feels manufactured and artificial. Dark chocolate, maraschino cherry, pepper, espresso, rubber, clay, and campfire. It sounds appealing in theory, but the flavors clash. I've never been fond of the Ardbeg Day releases; they're enjoyable, but significantly overpriced. This is likely my least preferred among them, especially given its inflated secondary market prices. Score: 0 (forgettable) Retail price: $100-120, but difficult to find at this price now. Secondary market price: $150-300 My perceived value: $60

The aroma presents many classic Ardbeg characteristics: smoldering campfire, burning tires, brine, accompanied by a subtle fruit bouquet and earthy notes, specifically bandages, mushrooms, and cottage cheese. Compared to other Ardbeg expressions, the nutty and oily qualities are subdued. The peat, while pronounced for any single malt scotch, is less intense than in most Ardbegs. The palate is dry, with more brine than typical Islays, offering a taste akin to salted caramel with black pepper, salted pork, and mild vanilla. This dram is remarkably sharp here, an effect amplified by the brief finish. For a distillery whose finishes often linger for days, this Ardbeg concludes almost immediately, leaving the punchy salt and pepper note as the final impression... like taking applewood smoked bacon and then drenching it in table seasonings. Mocha and bitter dark chocolate notes are present if you search for them, but they are overshadowed by the assertive pepper.

This is a dram to savor. The nose carries an invigorating hint of coffee, balanced by the familiar iodine found in most scotch. A few more inhalations reveal the peat smoke. On the palate, the initial sensation is a surprising coolness, reminiscent of peppermint but without its distinct flavor. After a moment, the taste transforms, and sweetness emerges: Vanilla and toffee dance on your palate. The finish is mellow and gentle, adding the faintest hint of almonds toasting distantly. Undoubtedly, one of the finest scotches I've had the privilege to sample.

Nose: Peat smoke, creamy sweetness, cigars, cocoa powder, sea salt, earthy, candied raisins. Palate: Honey sweetness, peat smoke, cigar ash, rubber, raisins, figs. Finish: Long, creamy finish with peat smoke, rubber, and sherry sweetness. This is quite good. It didn't quite meet the expectations set by the hype around Dark Cove. I desired more sherry sweetness, but the cigar ash and peat smoke typical of Ardbeg are still dominating. There are glimpses of honey sweetness and sherry, just not as much as I'd hoped.