Ardbeg Single Cask Strength 7yo Cote-Rotie Cask

I'd like to share my thoughts on an exceptional whisky. During my visit to Ardbeg's distillery, I enjoyed a truly remarkable dram at the shop: my first Ardbeg Single Cask Strength. This particular expression was drawn from Cote-Rotie cask #5619, bottled at 60.4% ABV, with only 289 bottles produced. On the nose: Malted barley, chocolate, spices, liquid paper, cotton, medicinal gauze, and tape. Chocolate with hazelnut. This is astounding. Acidic, peaty Ardbeg. On the palate, it features incredible chocolate and orange notes. Hazelnut complements Ardbeg's peaty character. Hints of orange with cotton. Grass. The finish is dominated by smoke, kelp, cotton, chocolate, and orange. Overall, this may very well be the finest Ardbeg I've ever experienced, and at just 7 years old, its peaty characteristics are exceptionally potent and direct. A remarkable single malt, deserving of a perfect score of 100/100.

Cask # 5619 Distilled in 2015, aged for 7 years