Ardbeg Day

My partner and I savored a dram of this at Golden Promise in Paris, which has to be among the world's finest whiskey establishments (over 1,000 bottles). Ardbeg's yearly special releases around Ardbeg Day (the actual date, not this spirit) are now a standard element of the scotch scene. This whisky initiated the trend in 2012 with a cask-strength offering for Feis Ile, which was aged in sherry casks that had previously held Ardbeg Uigeadail. It's an intriguing and uncommon cask selection for Ardbeg, as a refill cask doesn't impart the same intense, fruity, rich characteristics as a new sherry cask. Conveniently for Ardbeg, it also provided a use for their spent casks. The result is a robust yet smooth spirit. On the nose, cereal grain, smoke, and abundant leather emanate from the glass. There's also a hint of lemon peel, a signature Ardbeg trait. The palate is a harmonious blend of minerality and earthy peat, vanilla fudge, cream, and a rich malt essence. The smoke ebbs and flows throughout, and I'd estimate its age to be around 12 years given its slightly diminished intensity. The finish features hickory smoke and a lasting sweetness, enduring for a considerable time. Among Ardbeg's special releases, which can be inconsistent, Ardbeg Day is among the superior ones I have sampled.

Overall: Rich, clearly Ardbeg, with intriguing chocolate characteristics, reminiscent of Uigeadail. Color: Pale amber. Aroma: Cured meats, citrus zest, mellow cocoa or fudge, smoky air, dried grass, minty qualities; water accentuates salinity and more smoke. Body: Substantial and mellow. Flavor: Mellow smoky sweetness, fruit, dark chocolate with salt and spices, and anise. Aftertaste: Lingering, dark chocolate, aromatic smoke, velvety notes, pepper, and cooling mint.

Quite good. Smell: Raisins, Cantaloupes, Apricots, Figs, Dates, Pineapples, Sultanas, Barbecue Pork Ribs, Mackerels Taste: Dark Chocolate, Raisins, Dates, Peaches, Coal, Smoke, Toffee, Salted Cod, Mackerels, Bacon, Iodine Aftertaste: Dark Chocolate, Dates, Raisins, Vanilla, Aniseed, Cinnamon, Chili Peppers, Apricots

It's acceptable, tastes much like any other Ardbeg. Peaty and salty, but considering the high price...:-) Not to my preference.

Excellent pour!