Ardbeg Smoketrails Côte Rôtie Edition

Travel retail is a challenging environment, akin to the bazaars of India, Morocco, or Turkey, with aggressive salespeople promoting bottles as unique or claiming personal endorsement from the head distiller. However, gems can occasionally be found. The first SmokeTrails, a Manzanilla finish, was one such gem, its dry wine complementing Ardbeg's smoke and adding complexity. Based on that positive experience, I automatically purchased this second release. Normally, I avoid whiskeys finished in wines I dislike, like Manzanilla, which I find dry. But I loved the first SmokeTrails, so I took a chance on Ardbeg + Cote Rotie, despite my dislike for Cote Rotie. I was mistaken. The nose is a muted Ardbeg, either overpowered by the wine or having low PPMs. On the palate, I detect smoke and an herbal note, possibly thyme, along with salinity and lemon. I don't get any wine influence; everything is muted, as if Ardbeg's core character was stripped away. It's not bad, just not good.

quintessential Ardbeg - aggressive and briny, stinging with smoke, utterly devastating - it resides at the opposite end of the peat approach. However, it maintains equilibrium, presenting no significant flaws; certain red wine cask characteristics are quite evident, lending the palate a somewhat less viscous, "tannic" sensation.

Batch 2 of the Smoketrails Traveller's Exclusive edition. A young whisky with red wine influence and subtle peat. Quite a dry finish. Edges out the first edition Manzanilla finish (just).

Similar to the Ardberg An Oa, you get their signature peat with an added sweetness. It's not as complex as the 10YO or the Ugi but still a highly enjoyable dram.

Initial lightness, reminiscent of their previous bottlings. It then reveals notes of camphor and tea tree, concluding with a smooth, lasting finish.

Smoky, vegetal, and coastal on the nose. Salty, vegetal peat, and grilled bacon on the palate. Ashy/chimney peat on the finish.