This is a new release from Ardbeg, the king of new, strangely named releases. It is no age statement and comes with no pronunciation guide. Hint, its pronounced "uh no".
I can see why Ardbeg has decided to nudge An Oa into its line-up. This whisky is different from the rest. It's not a shrinking violet, by any stretch, but it has a delicate nature that seems to embody the spirit of autumn.
The taste starts off with notes of honey and butterscotch, followed by the usual Ardbeg smoke and peatiness, along with a touch of cinnamon, honey, vanilla, and dried flowers that add balance. The finish is long with a gentle smokiness.
Certainly not the wildest Ardbeg ever, and neither is it the most complex, or the peatiest, but despite the oak treatment that feels a bit, I rather like it. But yeah, I prefer the faithful Ten.
All told, it’s a bit of a melange of flavors that, if not exactly “starter Ardbeg” then at least comes across like “greatest hits Ardbeg” — a mix of this and that that feels at times like a blend of leftovers that didn’t get used in other expressions.
Medium mouthfeel, faint heat. Lemon meringue, salted caramel, smoke, ash and a nice lime brine note
Finish:
Medium, some astringency here, pretty sweet overall with a nice ashy undertone
Overall:
If you asked me, Id say this is being primed as a replacement for the 10 by Ardbeg. Very similar profile, not so similar price. I don't think its going to replace the Ten anytime soon, but it honestly wouldn't shock me either if the Ten suddenly vanishes in lieu of this. The profile similarity is striking to me.
Score:
80
By t8ke
Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources
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