Whisky was being produced at the Ardbeg distillery from 1798 although the distillery itself was only founded in 1815. The history and production of Ardbeg was somewhat of a rollercoaster until finding stability under the ownership of Glenmorangie in 1997. Ardbeg claims to produce the peatiest and smokiest whisky in the world. Their standard 10yo is in the order of 50ppm of peat smoke where the Supernova is more than double that (100+ppm).
Tastings from 04/09/12 - SMAC Session #5 (PEAT MONSTERS)
Asterisk denotes preference of neat or with water.
NEAT
Tristan *
Nose: Initially the common Islay scents are very apparent, with Iodine and Seaweed as the predominant 'flavour', but also a lot of Sour Cherries mixed in. Overall it is sweeter than the Ardbeg 10yr with a strong Honeyed Butter scent undercurrent. After enjoying the first few sips you will notice the Sweetness more with a processed Sugar, like Fairy Floss. Very light nose considering this is meant to be such a peaty Scotch.
1st: Very ephemeral throughout, this Scotch also drifts around your mouth. The Sourness of the nose is still apparent on the sides of the tongue and on the cheeks.
2nd: Sourness gives way to the Tangy Tartness of a Lemon Pie with a spreading Warmth.
3rd: Peats really come through, along with the return of the Cherry, and Iodine from the nose, fresh cracked Pepper and a hint of Soap if you hold the Scotch in your mouth.
Overall: Surprisingly light and ephemeral, but with a keen sharpness to it too. The mouthfeel is not thick or clingy at all, but really hits you, almost like if you think of an ambush: sharp and to the point with only a few flavourful 'troops' to blame, but really it isn't that overpowering.
Josh *
Nose: Iodine, Sweaty Balls, Almond, Smoke, Hospital, Hurt
1st: Smokey, Lapsang Souchong
2nd: Tart, Citrus
3rd: Bushfire, Burnt Grass, Tea
Cam *
Nose: Peaty, Smokey
Palate: Peppery, nice aftertaste
Dan *
Nose: Iodine, Parsley, Creamed Honey (Custard Beesting), Orange Concentrate, Seaweed
Palate: Jerusalem Artichoke, Seaweed, Lapsang Souchong, Pepper Zang! (or is it Chilli?)
Joel
Nose: Iodine, Seaweed
Palate: Explosive, Vanilla, Creamy, Stink Beetles
Finish: Smoke, Salt, Numbing
Meagan
Nose: Citrus, Iodine
Palate: Smokey finish, tastes like camping
Overall: Too harsh, unfortunately did not like
Brad *
Nose: Smokey, Iodine, Citrus, Seaweed, Honey, Cinnamon
1st: Smokey, Honey, disappears quickly
2nd: Ash, Citrus
Finish: Black Tea, Ash, Black Pepper
Gavin *
Nose: The Peat, Smoke and other Maritime characters (Seaweed, Iodine) are very evident from the get go. The smoke comes across almost as a Burnt Rubber or Tar smell. Behind this however are beautifully sweet smelling Citrus, Blackberry and Vanilla aromas that turn into Gebrannte Mandeln (Toasted Sugar coated Almonds).
1st: The first taste is one of Smoked Fish but disappears almost immediately.
2nd: It then EXPLODES with a big Citrus (Orange, Lime) Burst and remains Tangy.
3rd: The finish comes back to the Peat Smoke, which is quite Grassy (Tea Leaves). It burns all the way down to the stomach with a deliciously spicy Black Pepper lingering finish that is balanced by the Blackberry from the nose.
WITH A SPLASH OF WATER
Tristan *
Nose: Slightly stronger I thought, but less complex, which is unusual. No cherries, but there are notes of Mustard and a hint on Cinnamon and Orange as well.
1st: Starts off tasting and feeling like water, but quickly evolves into Orange.
2nd: Some Peats
3rd: Some more Peats along with Barley finishing off with a light lingering Sulphur.
Overall: Smoother with water with some additional Orange characteristics and quite warming, but not as complex. Both neat and with a dash of water have their pros and cons, and it really is up to you whether you like (or are feeling like) your bigger complex drop (neat) or your smooth warming dram (w/ water). Either way this is a very drinkable Scotch.
Josh
Nose: Smoke, Menthol, Mustard Seeds, Bushland, Vanilla
1st: Vanilla, Rubber, Iodine
2nd: Tart, Bitter, Burnt Caramel
Cam
Nose: Medicinal
Palate: Harder to taste
Dan
Nose: Sweeter, Sulphur, Softer
Palate: Really rough mouthfeel and burn. Violent.
Joel *
Nose: Salt, Caramel, Citrus
Palate: Easier to drink
Finish: More Burn
Meagan
Nose: Sweeter
Palate: As above
Brad
Nose: Honey, Grass, Iodine
1st: Vanilla, Orange, Caramel
2nd: Iodine, Black Tea Leaves, Orange
Finish: Peat, Smoke
Gavin
Nose: The Peatiness has disappeared from the aroma with a bit of water. The Seaweed and a slight Green Grass character still remain but it just doesn't have the same boldness as before. Pleasant Vanilla, Oak smell and a Fake Orange, almost like Orange Sherbet round it out.
1st: Iodine and Pepper kick us off
2nd: And it's a gentle transition to the second this time around. No explosion. The Citrus is here again, although it's more of an Orange Peel and Caramelised Orange combination. The Iodine also remains from the first and is quite warming.
3rd: Finishes strong with Peat and BIG Smokiness. It is slightly Fishy (Smoked Fish), with a Salt and Pepper spice.
NEAT
Tristan *
Nose: Initially the common Islay scents are very apparent, with Iodine and Seaweed as the predominant 'flavour', but also a lot of Sour Cherries mixed in. Overall it is sweeter than the Ardbeg 10yr with a strong Honeyed Butter scent undercurrent. After enjoying the first few sips you will notice the Sweetness more with a processed Sugar, like Fairy Floss. Very light nose considering this is meant to be such a peaty Scotch.
1st: Very ephemeral throughout, this Scotch also drifts around your mouth. The Sourness of the nose is still apparent on the sides of the tongue and on the cheeks.
2nd: Sourness gives way to the Tangy Tartness of a Lemon Pie with a spreading Warmth.
3rd: Peats really come through, along with the return of the Cherry, and Iodine from the nose, fresh cracked Pepper and a hint of Soap if you hold the Scotch in your mouth.
Overall: Surprisingly light and ephemeral, but with a keen sharpness to it too. The mouthfeel is not thick or clingy at all, but really hits you, almost like if you think of an ambush: sharp and to the point with only a few flavourful 'troops' to blame, but really it isn't that overpowering.
Josh *
Nose: Iodine, Sweaty Balls, Almond, Smoke, Hospital, Hurt
1st: Smokey, Lapsang Souchong
2nd: Tart, Citrus
3rd: Bushfire, Burnt Grass, Tea
Cam *
Nose: Peaty, Smokey
Palate: Peppery, nice aftertaste
Dan *
Nose: Iodine, Parsley, Creamed Honey (Custard Beesting), Orange Concentrate, Seaweed
Palate: Jerusalem Artichoke, Seaweed, Lapsang Souchong, Pepper Zang! (or is it Chilli?)
Joel
Nose: Iodine, Seaweed
Palate: Explosive, Vanilla, Creamy, Stink Beetles
Finish: Smoke, Salt, Numbing
Meagan
Nose: Citrus, Iodine
Palate: Smokey finish, tastes like camping
Overall: Too harsh, unfortunately did not like
Brad *
Nose: Smokey, Iodine, Citrus, Seaweed, Honey, Cinnamon
1st: Smokey, Honey, disappears quickly
2nd: Ash, Citrus
Finish: Black Tea, Ash, Black Pepper
Gavin *
Nose: The Peat, Smoke and other Maritime characters (Seaweed, Iodine) are very evident from the get go. The smoke comes across almost as a Burnt Rubber or Tar smell. Behind this however are beautifully sweet smelling Citrus, Blackberry and Vanilla aromas that turn into Gebrannte Mandeln (Toasted Sugar coated Almonds).
1st: The first taste is one of Smoked Fish but disappears almost immediately.
2nd: It then EXPLODES with a big Citrus (Orange, Lime) Burst and remains Tangy.
3rd: The finish comes back to the Peat Smoke, which is quite Grassy (Tea Leaves). It burns all the way down to the stomach with a deliciously spicy Black Pepper lingering finish that is balanced by the Blackberry from the nose.
WITH A SPLASH OF WATER
Tristan *
Nose: Slightly stronger I thought, but less complex, which is unusual. No cherries, but there are notes of Mustard and a hint on Cinnamon and Orange as well.
1st: Starts off tasting and feeling like water, but quickly evolves into Orange.
2nd: Some Peats
3rd: Some more Peats along with Barley finishing off with a light lingering Sulphur.
Overall: Smoother with water with some additional Orange characteristics and quite warming, but not as complex. Both neat and with a dash of water have their pros and cons, and it really is up to you whether you like (or are feeling like) your bigger complex drop (neat) or your smooth warming dram (w/ water). Either way this is a very drinkable Scotch.
Josh
Nose: Smoke, Menthol, Mustard Seeds, Bushland, Vanilla
1st: Vanilla, Rubber, Iodine
2nd: Tart, Bitter, Burnt Caramel
Cam
Nose: Medicinal
Palate: Harder to taste
Dan
Nose: Sweeter, Sulphur, Softer
Palate: Really rough mouthfeel and burn. Violent.
Joel *
Nose: Salt, Caramel, Citrus
Palate: Easier to drink
Finish: More Burn
Meagan
Nose: Sweeter
Palate: As above
Brad
Nose: Honey, Grass, Iodine
1st: Vanilla, Orange, Caramel
2nd: Iodine, Black Tea Leaves, Orange
Finish: Peat, Smoke
Gavin
Nose: The Peatiness has disappeared from the aroma with a bit of water. The Seaweed and a slight Green Grass character still remain but it just doesn't have the same boldness as before. Pleasant Vanilla, Oak smell and a Fake Orange, almost like Orange Sherbet round it out.
1st: Iodine and Pepper kick us off
2nd: And it's a gentle transition to the second this time around. No explosion. The Citrus is here again, although it's more of an Orange Peel and Caramelised Orange combination. The Iodine also remains from the first and is quite warming.
3rd: Finishes strong with Peat and BIG Smokiness. It is slightly Fishy (Smoked Fish), with a Salt and Pepper spice.
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