Single Malt Whiskies from Islay, the “Queen of the Hebridesâ€
Located on the Inner Hebridean island of Islay, Ardbeg is a distillery which is defined by its geography. Sitting on the rocky south coast; on one side is the rugged natural beauty of the landscape and on the other, the crashing waves and salty seaspray of the Atlantic Ocean.
As a result of this environment, Ardbeg's whiskies are decidedly muscular. That's not to say simple or brash; in fact, other distilleries should envy Ardbeg for the layers of depth that they manage to fit into a bottle. Each offering is complex and full of rewarding discoveries.
Ardbeg's Uigeadail is a rich and weighty single malt. The nose starts with aromas of fruit cake
and walnut oil, and develops into a sweet interweaving of treacle, chocolate and dried fruit. These notes are picked up on the palate, where the smoky qualities of smoked fish and cigars come to the fore. The finish is long, with the hints of chocolate and raisins continuing. It comes as no surprise that in 2009 Jim Murray awarded it the title of "World Whisky of the Year".
If drams like the Uigeadail are too heavily peated for your tastes, Ardbeg have produced a rather unusual offering. The Blasda is very light in colour and exceptionally clean and light to the taste. This is because the Blasda is only peated to a third of the regular amount - and what a difference this makes. The aroma will yield banoffee and roast chestnuts, with the freshness of mint, lemon and sea salt. The taste, like the Uigeadail, holds dried fruit and light marzipan; as well as still a light oily peatiness.
Even if you love your heavily peated single malts, the Blasda is worth trying as you'll be able to more clearly distinguish the flavours present; and, therefore, be more likely to notice these characteristics in other whiskys. It really can help to open up the hidden depths of the Ardbeg range, and even those of other Islay distilleries.
If you enjoy your Islay whiskies, then you've definitely heard of (if not actually sampled) the sought-after offerings from the Port Ellen distillery. The distillery closed in 1983, but since then has fairly regularly released special bottlings. The 2010 special release was a 31 year old single malt matured in both bourbon and sherry casks. It was a sweet and spicy dram with notes of fruit, smoked kippers, cereal, citrus and a pleasant quality akin to antiseptic.
It goes without saying that since the distillery is no longer producing whisky, supplies will - before long - grow dry. Laying your hands on a bottle of Port Ellen is literally to hold a piece of history; and, what's more, a piece of history that is escaping fast. The 2010 bottling only ran to 3,000 bottles, the lowest number so far.
It's important to stress that Port Ellen's fame is not only built on the whisky's scarcity. The whisky is top-class. Single malts from this distillery are going to remain elusive for the majority of us, as they become ever-increasingly more collectable. But I would suggest putting aside a little each month into an Ellen fund; or clubbing together with some like-minded enthusiasts. These are great Islay whiskies, and are worth seeking out.
A bottling of a single cask malt - specially produced for the Duncan Taylor "Rarest of the Rare" series - ran to only 258 bottles, each individually numbered. This 27 year old single malt, and others like it, are true collector's items; full of uncommon qualities and unique charm.
As a result of this environment, Ardbeg's whiskies are decidedly muscular. That's not to say simple or brash; in fact, other distilleries should envy Ardbeg for the layers of depth that they manage to fit into a bottle. Each offering is complex and full of rewarding discoveries.
Ardbeg's Uigeadail is a rich and weighty single malt. The nose starts with aromas of fruit cake
and walnut oil, and develops into a sweet interweaving of treacle, chocolate and dried fruit. These notes are picked up on the palate, where the smoky qualities of smoked fish and cigars come to the fore. The finish is long, with the hints of chocolate and raisins continuing. It comes as no surprise that in 2009 Jim Murray awarded it the title of "World Whisky of the Year".
If drams like the Uigeadail are too heavily peated for your tastes, Ardbeg have produced a rather unusual offering. The Blasda is very light in colour and exceptionally clean and light to the taste. This is because the Blasda is only peated to a third of the regular amount - and what a difference this makes. The aroma will yield banoffee and roast chestnuts, with the freshness of mint, lemon and sea salt. The taste, like the Uigeadail, holds dried fruit and light marzipan; as well as still a light oily peatiness.
Even if you love your heavily peated single malts, the Blasda is worth trying as you'll be able to more clearly distinguish the flavours present; and, therefore, be more likely to notice these characteristics in other whiskys. It really can help to open up the hidden depths of the Ardbeg range, and even those of other Islay distilleries.
If you enjoy your Islay whiskies, then you've definitely heard of (if not actually sampled) the sought-after offerings from the Port Ellen distillery. The distillery closed in 1983, but since then has fairly regularly released special bottlings. The 2010 special release was a 31 year old single malt matured in both bourbon and sherry casks. It was a sweet and spicy dram with notes of fruit, smoked kippers, cereal, citrus and a pleasant quality akin to antiseptic.
It goes without saying that since the distillery is no longer producing whisky, supplies will - before long - grow dry. Laying your hands on a bottle of Port Ellen is literally to hold a piece of history; and, what's more, a piece of history that is escaping fast. The 2010 bottling only ran to 3,000 bottles, the lowest number so far.
It's important to stress that Port Ellen's fame is not only built on the whisky's scarcity. The whisky is top-class. Single malts from this distillery are going to remain elusive for the majority of us, as they become ever-increasingly more collectable. But I would suggest putting aside a little each month into an Ellen fund; or clubbing together with some like-minded enthusiasts. These are great Islay whiskies, and are worth seeking out.
A bottling of a single cask malt - specially produced for the Duncan Taylor "Rarest of the Rare" series - ran to only 258 bottles, each individually numbered. This 27 year old single malt, and others like it, are true collector's items; full of uncommon qualities and unique charm.
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