Ardbeg Drum

Is this the point where Ardbeg went downhill? Was the CR superior to the standard version? Let's find out. A dual review will be published for both: Drum CR versus Standard. Aroma - On the CR: Bananas, oak, faint smoke, candied cigars (I consistently detect this in peated whiskies, especially Ardbeg). I'm detecting some notes of very young but used barrel oak. Okay, I'm getting similar notes here, but more cigarette smoke. More like fruit cooked over a fire. Yes, the CR is more vanilla/banana, while the non-CR has a lot more depth. Flavor - CR: I do get pineapple, bananas, oak, vanilla, powdered sugar, light smoke, and a touch of brine, but not much. It's complex and evolves, but does come across as a bit young. However, many people prefer that in peated spirits, and it really lacks the characteristic Ardbeg peat intensity. The non-CR is more subtle, clearly diluted, but I perceive more from it. Most importantly, I'm getting significantly more peat, more Ardbeg character. Yes, there's more brine, more smoke, and all those elements I seek in an Islay, and they are very noticeable on the finish. Let's add some water to the CR! The aroma of the CR does shift somewhat, but it still isn't as complex as the non-CR. It's more forward with burnt vanilla. Flavor - Adding water here makes the CR taste younger with increased harshness and more of that banana and youthful oak. It does lengthen the finish and gives me more of an Ardbeg smoke profile. The non-CR has more of what I perceive as iodine (though I've only encountered this flavor through whisky discussions, so take that with a grain of salt). Overall - They receive the same score from me, but the non-CR has a superior aroma and flavor. However, the mouthfeel of the CS CR compensates for both deficiencies. Are these good whiskies? They're adequate. A 2.0, and frankly, they'll be an unusual discussion point. The suggested retail prices at some local stores were identical for both. A few even sold the CR for less than the non-CR when it was released. I know of one store that sold the CR for $120 and the non-CR for $130. So, this is the review for the non-CR. I must add that the lower proof seemed to hinder the aroma right from the start, and this observation holds true even after both bottles have been open for a while, consistent with my initial impressions from the neck pours. As an Ardbeg enthusiast, I'm disappointed with Drum, but I don't dislike it, and I don't feel personally ripped off. However, I completely understand why some people disagree. It's simply too young for the price, especially the non-CR, which costs $109.99 in Ohio and I've seen it priced in the $130s in Kentucky.

The pour is a golden straw hue. When swirled, a thin film clings to the glass, and slow-moving legs appear. The aroma leads with molasses, caramel, and grilled pineapple. The peat is present but less intense than expected from this distillery, complemented by lime zest and a salty sea spray. The taste features the signature Ardbeg ashy smoke, combined with notes of banana and pineapple, possibly a whisper of coconut. Brown sugar and molasses provide sweetness. The flavors are delicate and meld nicely, creating a pleasant, though not exceptional, experience. The finish is medium-long, with persistent sooty smoke, reminiscent of burnt bacon and black pepper. It maintains consistency but softens towards the end with a trace of vanilla. The rum cask influence is not apparent. Adding a few drops of water slightly enhances the vanilla on the nose and banana on the finish, with negligible impact. Overall, this is a pleasant but ultimately understated expression. The blend of flavors is appealing, but their subtlety is a letdown for a peated whisky and rum cask finish enthusiast. It's an enjoyable drink, but overpriced, making one wish for a different release instead. It falls into the 'good, enjoyable but flawed' category.

Despite the late summer heat, I decided to continue a peated theme after a recent Irish whiskey tasting. I sought out an unreviewed peated whisky and remembered I had a bottle of Ardbeg Drum, which I hadn't enjoyed previously. It was time for another evaluation. I want to be clear: I'm not a devoted follower of Ardbeg. While the distillery produces some incredible spirits (Corryvreckan, Uigeadail), I've always felt they rely too heavily on marketing, which makes me question the overall quality, though one doesn't necessarily exclude the other. The Drum, matured in rum casks, is a prime example of Ardbeg's marketing strategy. This bottling was launched on Ardbeg Day with a "thrilling Caribbean twist" advertised on the packaging. The bottle itself features three cartoonish stickers highlighting "Briny Notes," "Ripe Banana Notes," and "Pineapple Notes," reinforcing the Caribbean theme. This pairing feels as odd as the mayor of Miami Beach promoting a "Scotland Day," urging everyone to wear tartans and wool sweaters. But I'm getting sidetracked. It has a clear, pale straw color, suggesting no artificial coloring. The nose offers smoky peat and malted barley notes, with perhaps a hint of pineapple and ripe banana as the stickers suggest, though this might be wishful thinking. The palate has a honeyed sweetness and Islay salt, followed by smoky peat again in the finish. I associate peaty scotch whisky with complexity, intensity, and ruggedness, much like the Islay coast. It should command attention and respect. Ardbeg Drum doesn't fit that description. I'll admit to being an old-fashioned traditionalist. My cynical side suspects this is young, surplus stock that the marketing team needed to move without appearing to do so. While I support efforts to attract new Scotch drinkers, and this bottling could achieve that, it's not a serious whisky, despite its price. I rate it 2.5 out of 5 stars. No age statement; non-chill filtered; 46% ABV. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Following a forgettable Ardbeg Blasda, I went in the opposite direction with a dram that I'm baffled I didn't have higher expectations for before tasting. This Ardbeg Drum is a fantastic Ardbeg, incredibly inviting, and if it were a permanent fixture, I genuinely think it would vanish from shelves in mere minutes. Ardbeg Drum is one of this distillery's limited releases, which puts out something new annually (most likely NAS), is highly collectible, and 70% of the time, its quality is debated. Matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in ex-rum barrels, this whisky aims to evoke a Caribbean vibe... and they completely succeed. Bottled at 46% ABV, with a white wine color. On the nose, it's a perfect piña colada. It begins with Ardbeg's signature peat and hay. Brownies are present, followed by some rising sweet red fruitiness and pungent peat. Vanilla and pineapple are noticeable; it's potent for a 46% ABV. After 3 minutes, it became incredibly good. It smells exactly like a piña colada cocktail. Sugar syrup and condensed milk are detected. After 5 minutes, it shifted to a very grape-like, cherry, and sweet aroma. Upon the first taste, I got AMAZING COCONUT. Finally, that aromatic note everyone seems to detect, and I can never properly identify, is here, so clear and precise. Incredibly aromatic, with coconut, vanilla, and peat. On the palate, it's very appealing; coconut, pineapple, then mild peatiness and salt. It's oily, fruity, and tropical. A second taste was sweeter, like sugar syrup and pineapple smoothie. Gooseberries and condensed milk were also present. It has a spicy finish. It's like a small orb of ginger, wasabi, pepper, and salt that grows larger in your throat over time. It's spicy rather than peaty, salty rather than earthy. It's a medium-long, pleasant aftertaste. Overall, this was a memorable dram, a whisky I desire to possess and share with companions. It's the most approachable Ardbeg without losing its essence or strength, and that's the secret to its triumph. Complex enough, peaty enough, sweet enough, fruity enough. Very skillfully made, my rating for it is 96 out of 100, and I suspect I'm being too harsh. Cheers!

This release from Ardbeg continues to impress. The influence of the rum casks is very strong in both the aroma and flavor. Nose: Rich, full-bodied peat and smoke. Very balanced and robust. The iodine and rubber scent I typically detect in Ardbeg is entirely absent. It's replaced by fruits and spices instead. Overripe banana, sweet apples, nutmeg, cinnamon, a little raisin, and nuttiness. Taste: Spicy peat and smoke quickly give way to an incredibly creamy fruitiness. It immediately brought to mind a smokier version of a Compass Box Great King Street Glasgow Blend. Cinnamon and nutmeg transition into a thick banana and apple flavor. The finish is pleasantly salty with citrus notes like lemon, ginger, and turmeric. The whiskey has an oily texture, and the flavors persist for a long time afterwards.

Aroma: faint fragrant peat, sea air, hints of grilled pineapple. Cinnamon and spiced rum. Whipped vanilla cream. Taste: Sweeter on the palate than a typical Ardbeg. Peaty as expected, but less intense than usual. Brown sugar, pear, pineapple, tropical fruit. Fruity sweetness lingers on the back of the palate as it moves to the finish. It's not cloying or syrupy. This is a light, almost refreshing Ardbeg. Finish: mild peat phenols, spiced oak. Slightly thinner/milder than typical Ardbegs. Hints of cocoa.