Ardbeg Twenty Something 23 Year

I'm back! It's been almost three weeks since my last review. I was unable to write a proper review due to travel, family obligations, home repairs, and a rather bothersome summer cold. The cold is still here, but I'm well enough to write a review. The final round of the SDT has begun, but before I start those samples, I wanted to review this gem as it marks my 250th review. I wanted to celebrate this milestone with an Islay, as they are my first love. This bottle was one of the premium ones we had in our hotel room tasting in DC at Whiskyfest, provided by a friend. Ardbeg Twenty Something is a 23-year-old, which I understand is the recent 21-year-old with an additional two years of finishing in sherry casks. It's bottled at 46.3% alcohol by volume, is non-chill filtered, and has a natural honey-gold color. The nose leads with pure Ardbeg peat smoke. It's quite smoky considering its age, and I'm impressed the phenols in the distillate have held up so well over its long maturation. Notes of bonfire ashes, creosote, and smoked ham with a honey glaze. Once the smoke subsided slightly, vanilla cream and custard, cherries, and cherry wood, and almonds appeared. Very light sherry notes emerged after some time, not too pronounced given its two-year finishing period. Subtle mint and lemon notes, black tea, and a hint of red grapes. After a good 45 minutes in the glass, it developed a chalky note, so I wouldn't recommend letting it sit that long. A strong peppery arrival on the palate with sharp charred oak and a considerable amount of peat smoke. I'd use the word elegant, but it's not quite there. I can say it's as elegant as an Ardbeg can be, but it's still a powerful dram. Almonds, cherries/cherry cough syrup. Briny, slightly bitter black tea, a hint of sherry and vanilla. Very faint mint in the background. A medium to medium-full body that coats the mouth and is slightly oily. The finish is long with peat smoke, pepper, oak, and more smoke. This is very good, truly excellent. It's powerful yet sophisticated, like a heavy-duty hammer with a velvet-covered grip. It's definitely better than the 21-year-old, which I found to be a bit weak. I believe a friend paid over $500 for this bottle, and while I can't say it was worth that much, I will say it's suitable for a special occasion pour. In the hotel room, it was undoubtedly a 5-star dram, but under closer inspection, it's just not quite at that level. I gave the 21 a 4.25, and I think this one falls between 4.5 and 4.75. Given the price, I'll opt for the lower score and call it a solid, respectable 4.5. Cheers

I cracked this bottle before Whiskyfest DC back in April for our hotel room bottle share. The idea was to have some top-shelf whisky to get warmed up for the event. I snagged this bottle when it first came out last winter, spending $600 to secure one. I picked up another about three months later, after the initial rush subsided, but it still cost me $500. Was the price justified? Let's find out. This release doesn't continue the series Ardbeg initiated in 2016 with the 21 Year Old, contrary to what some thought. This was different stock found on-site. It's a mix of whiskey aged in traditional ex-bourbon barrels and ex-sherry casks. The 21-year-old was old stock acquired back from an independent bottler. This 23-year-old is bottled at 46.3% ABV, appears a new gold color, and leaves behind numerous thin, fast-moving legs in the glass. Right away, the nose offered incredible sherry sweetness. The smoke integrated flawlessly, accompanied by pleasant oak cask notes, BBQ, bacon, and a hint of grape wine. It was highly complex, eventually fading mostly to smoke over time. The palate presented smoked meats, chocolate, vanilla, and sherry grapes. The cask influence recedes here, replaced by some salty notes and abundant smoke. The texture is luxurious and velvety smooth, as one would anticipate from something this mature. There's minimal alcohol warmth, and the smoke again takes center stage if you savor the sip. The finish is lengthy with moderate spice and a final touch of barrel influence. It's simultaneously smoky and sweet, and each taste compels you to take another. This bottle was unequivocally the finest Ardbeg I've ever experienced. While not as intricate as the CorryV or the Uiggi, they cannot compare to the sheer smoothness and richness of this. It's difficult to definitively state if this bottle is worth $500-600, but you could certainly have much worse. This one is contending for the top position on my all-time favorites list, making it an easy 5-star dram. If you desire a taste of near perfection, invest in a pour or a bottle and discover it yourself. It's a magnificent dram. Enjoy.

A sample of this was provided to me by a friend. It was a special occasion due to its cost and rarity, so many thanks to a generous friend for sharing it. I decided to compare the Twenty Something with its sibling, Ardbeg Uigeadail. I've been enjoying the Uigeadail for some time and am undecided between a 4 or 5-star rating. In terms of color, the 20 Something appears slightly darker, indicating more influence from sherry casks over the years. Since both are sherry-matured, the smokiness is less pronounced compared to Ardbeg 10. Furthermore, the Uigeadail's nose was noticeably more powerful than the 20 Something's, echoing the sentiment that excessive time in the barrel can diminish a whisky's quality. Lastly, this comparison brought out a bourbon spice in the Uigeadail (allspice) that I hadn't previously detected. Savoring these two whiskies is pure bliss. Similar notes of toasted barley, sherry, and vanilla are dominant. Other shared characteristics included subtle smoke, dried fruits, mocha, and a hint of sea salt. Once again, the Uigeadail offered an additional note of bourbon spice, best described as banana nut bread. I must admit, a trip to the west coast of Scotland and the islands enhanced this tasting experience, but that's what life is about. We strive to create a good life for our families, so when you have the opportunity to enjoy life, pursue your dreams. And I certainly did, as these whiskies transported me back to the windswept coasts of Britain and Ireland and the peated campfires that must have once been prevalent there. Of course, none of this would be possible without the contributions of individuals like my maternal uncle, whom I never met. He lost his life at a young age during the battle of Anzio in WWII and is buried in Italy, far from his home and family. So, it is to him and others like him that I dedicate this toast. They gave their lives so that we could enjoy ours on this sacred Memorial Day weekend in our country. May 5 stars guide his journey to heaven.

The nose is dominated by sherry, hinting at extensive secondary cask aging. A musty, stale room or sawmill aroma is present, possibly from light, faded peat, alongside an earthy quality. Dominant fruit notes on the nose are capped off with a touch of vanilla. A distinct spicy element is also detected. The finish exhibits an acidic alcoholic bite. Intensely complex. Later, notes of cinnamon roll dough emerge, specifically the dough itself and a hint of icing. Taste: Dough, vanilla, a genuine funk of some kind, then it transitions to a vanilla/earthy/light peat finish that endures indefinitely. The finish's dominance over the initial taste is an unusual experience. Upon a second tasting, more vanilla and light oak are perceived, with sherry and fruit notes present but less prominent than on the nose. Despite its creamy, viscous 46% ABV, the whisky possesses a surprising lightness, almost water-like. Cinnamon roll dough is again noticeable, though with a different spice. The finish, on a second pour, begins to incorporate dark fruits and spices, alongside lingering vanilla oak and peat notes. For 46% ABV, it has some body, but the mid-palate feels slightly lacking. This is definitely an A-grade spirit, but not quite an A+, and its price range of 500-650 makes it a poor value proposition.

In recent years, I've made it a habit to have a special drink on my birthday. As I age, I've come to truly appreciate things that often go unnoticed: wonderful, well-behaved, intelligent children, a supportive wife, and relatives who are there for you during difficult times. With that in mind, I'm opening a pour that is fitting for a celebration... and this one is a gift from my good friend. Despite being nearly twenty-five years old, the classic Ardbeg character is still evident. Notes of tar and burnt ashes; like freshly laid asphalt on a hot summer day. Taste: this is where the 23 years truly show. It's smooth and silky—the boldness has been replaced by liquid smoke that is both delicate and potent. The finish is long and sweet, where the sherry influence becomes apparent. At $500, this bottle is beyond the reach of most people's discretionary spending... so I am even more grateful to my friend for this birthday pour. Thank you, my friend!

Incredible. I found a bottle at the state store and was lucky enough to get it. I wish I had the maturity at twenty-something that this scotch possesses. The aroma starts with vanilla, peat, sherry, aged wood, and hints of pineapple. The taste is remarkably smooth, complex, and deep. Each sip draws you further into a smoky room where important decisions are made. Chocolate leads to smoke, which leads to pine, bringing you to a gathering with dried fruits, nuts, tobacco, and figs. The finish lasts for a wonderful eternity. Incense and vanilla blend into an herbal garden of flavors. Basil and thyme emerge, quickly followed by dark chocolate before fading away.