The advance release for the Ardbeg Committee with a brown paper label rather than the traditional black label. The nose is of sweet strong peat with the suggestion of some youth evident in the vibrancy of the aromas. There is also some fragrant heather, damp Hessian, brine, very light rose water and multi faceted peat smoke (including faint aromas of burnt stick, think of poking a branch in an open fire). Very much a quality Ardbeg nose. With water the sample opens up and changes significantly to bring out chocolate, a more subtle peat smoke and some malt. The taste is once again quite vibrant and is an accurate hand drawn facsimile of the nose and very strong with lashing of lovely peat smoke, some sweet sherry notes and even more peat smoke with a thick mouth feel. Excellent. With water the sample is quite excellent and is very much sweet peat smoke. The finish is woody with initial arrival of lemon, chocolate, some heavy brine and then some burnt floral notes. The finish carries on for an extremely long time with some final tussle between dry oak, peat smoke and an unidentified sappiness. Spoken too soon; the finish is still developing after 15 minutes; for a while it was very much peanut butter or roasted peanuts.

A nice dram.

Score 87 Points

US$150