A ‘vintage’ Ardbeg distilled in 1990 nick named the ‘beast’ by many. The nose is of sweet peat smoke, earthy dunnage warehouses, hints of maritime, oak, bonfire, sherry wine and bonfires. Buttery. With water there is some citrus in the form of orange with some additional aromas of leather, tobacco, dark chocolate and cloves. The taste is of peat smoke, creamy, soda, buttery, beach, lemon, prawn (again), maritime, malt, chewy, dark bitter chocolate. Very pleasant. The finish is very long, complex and warming with more peat smoke, oak, the dark bitter chocolate but this time in the form of Terry’s Chocolate Orange. After a few minutes there are hints of Lapsang Souchong tea and a final crescendo of peat smoke. Overall very well balanced. Excellent.

C$125

Score 90 Points

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