Ardbeg Uigeadail

Ah, Ardbeg Uigeadail. Is there a more difficult name in the whiskey world to pronounce? The bottle offers a pronunciation guide, yet I'm still uncertain of the correct way to say it. Spelling it is simple with the copy and paste function. Want to confuse some young students? Put this name in their spelling test. The bottle describes its flavor as treacle, bacon, and bonfires. This seems reasonably accurate, although I've never actually tasted treacle. It's a syrup made from refined sugar, similar to molasses, and has a tarry quality. So, I grasp the concept. I purchased a bottle during COVID, and opened it when my father, brother-in-law, and I were watching Eagles games. We had moved the TV to my driveway, maintaining a six-foot distance. This was back when Carson Wentz was still the quarterback, and we were struggling to accept that he wouldn't recover from the ACL injury he sustained that season he led our team to the Super Bowl. Prices were also about $10 lower for Uigeadail then – it was only three years ago, but it feels like a lifetime given how rapidly costs are rising. Anyway, I opened the bottle during the Baltimore game, and it helped ease the disappointment of the Eagles' loss. It was my first high-proof Islay, and it delivered everything I had hoped for, with all those flavors amplified significantly. When the price increased, I hesitated to buy another. It seemed quite expensive for an NAS whisky, even if it was cask strength and an Islay. However, it was my favorite from Ardbeg's core lineup. So, a few years later, here I am, purchasing a second bottle. I have since discovered an Ardbeg I prefer even more, the BizarreBQ, but that's a limited release. Although I bought two before they sold out, I likely won't be able to get more, making them treasures in my collection – bottles to bring out when an asteroid is hurtling towards Earth. Or perhaps I'll opt for something more extravagant. I could splurge on that Laphroaig 25 I've been eyeing, which is well beyond my budget. The aroma has a subtle sweetness beneath the smoke – could that be the treacle? Is that what treacle smells like? Apologies, smells like. The smoke is dry, offering a fantastic aroma. There's a faint hint of a band-aid on the finish. Perhaps a touch of dark chocolate. The palate introduces a savory quality to the smoke. You could describe it as bacon, but it might resemble other cured meats due to a slight saltiness. The finish revisits that hint of sweetness, which I still can't identify. The reviewer notes a sherry influence in the mix, which is plausible. Overall, it has a pleasingly rich texture and was worth the cost three years ago. Today, I'm unsure if I can justify the price, despite my enjoyment of it. I'd rather acquire a Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength or Talisker's Distillers Edition, both of which are in a similar price range.

I haven't consumed a scotch in months, and from a distant, accidental whiff, I can tell this one will be potent. Many thanks to a friend for this sample! Nose presents barbecue, iodine, pot roast, smoke, and char. It predominantly smells meaty, but there's also a chemical undertone, leaning towards a cigar or some other burning scent. The body contains precisely what's on the nose, plus honey and mustard. The concerning chemical note has vanished. It's a pure meat experience. The mouthfeel is moist. The finish is lingering smoke, vinegar, and barbecue sauce. A touch of mint appears on the later breaths. I don't have extensive experience with Ardbeg, but I can liken this particular bottling to the only other dram I've sampled that was this robust: Octomore. This isn't Octomore, but if they passed each other on the street, they'd surely give each other a high-five. The flavor profiles are comparable, as is the enjoyment level. I don't foresee myself drinking a lot of this at once, but I would consider purchasing it if the price were reasonable. Peat enthusiasts, be warned: this is not the spirit you are looking for. For those seeking rock band names: "distant and unintentional waft"

It's been a while since my last review of Oogie, and I don't believe I've tasted it since then. I just finished evaluating Laphroaig 10-Year Sherry Cask Finished, noting it was more subdued than Uigeadail. This prompted me to revisit it (after the Laphroaig), and I'm delighted I did. What a treat. Smoky Islay and sherried Highland whiskies were once considered opposites – and some still argue they should be – but a sherry-finished Islay whisky blurs that line, though it doesn't erase it. It's all about equilibrium: Ardbegs are assertive spirits, requiring substantial sherry sweetness to balance their peat. Uigeadail achieves this masterfully. Peat, iodine, seaweed, smoke, and sweetness combine for a fantastic sensory experience. Furthermore, it's non-chill filtered and bottled at 54.2% ABV. Setting aside Ardbeg's marketing fluff, this is a high-quality, craft spirit. Would I purchase it again? I would forgo a few meals if necessary. 4.5.

Total Score: 4.25 [English] [Nose] - Smells like grass (not herbs) - Almost no alcohol scent. - Very faint medicinal peat aroma, but not unpleasant. - A rich and refreshing sherry scent like raisins and cherries. - Salty sea air scent. - Mocha chocolate. - Rich molasses and a mild herbal scent in an empty glass. [Palate] - Sweet - Heavy nutty aroma. - Quite spicy in the mouth. - Balanced, but not salty enough. [Finish] - Smooth sensation as it goes down the throat. - Little to no heat or spiciness felt in the neck afterwards. - A calm, lingering aroma of mild medicine and smokiness.

A small pour, enjoyed neat in a whiskey glass. Smell: Peat. Salt. Taste: Peat. Salt. Sweetness. Pepper. Aftertaste: Peat and pepper. It lingers for a decent time and leaves me wanting more. It dissolves smoothly on the tongue. This embodies all the qualities I appreciate in an Islay. It's worth $80, but since it costs $95 a bottle, I will hold off on buying it. I'd likely rate it 7.4 on the t8ke scale. 1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out. 2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice. 3 | Bad | Multiple flaws. 4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have. 5 | Good | Good, just fine. 6 | Very Good | A cut above. 7 | Great | Well above average 8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional. 9 | Incredible | An all time favorite 10 | Perfect | Perfect

NEAT AROMA - Campfire smoke, blackberries, raisin, and honey. Unexpectedly, the peat on the nose is quite subtle. I would anticipate this to be a peat powerhouse given its cask strength, but it's quite the opposite. It's very rich in sherry notes on the nose, which is a pleasant surprise. PALATE - Rich, thick, and syrupy. Initially, a wave of blackberry jam and raisins hits the front of my palate. As I move the whisky around my mouth, it coats my entire palate with lingering honey notes. FINISH - Peppery and smoky. The peat here is savory, not medicinal. SHOULD I BUY? - Yes! SHOULD I BUY AGAIN? - Absolutely. Fortunately, this is widely available and reasonably priced. Cheers!