One of Ardbeg’s annual Committee releases, the Ardbog was put out as a limited edition of 3000 bottles during the Islay Festival, celebrated by a worldwide Ardbog Day on June 1, 2013, before being sold more widely for a limited time. It’s name connotes the peat bogs scattered across Islay. The Ardbeg Ardbog is and remains to this day, for some of us here at Scotchology, a quintessential unicorn dram.
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region: Islay
Age: NAS
Strength: 52.1%
Price: $79.98
Location: Islay
Maturation: Mix of Bourbon and Manzanilla Sherry casks
Nose: Smokey, caramelized sap, brine, peat, applewood smoked maple bacon
Palate: Pear, licorice, citrus zest, allspice, peat, oatmeal
Finish: Salt, peat, smoke
Comments: Adding a touch of water can bring out the rich complexities this whisky has to offer.
Adam – A rise of tempered peat that fades to smoke like the morning mists off a loch. Like smoking a cigar on the front porch at twilight. The Ardbeg Ardbog is one of my favorites, hands down. Not just because of its own fine qualities, of which there are many, but because this might have been the first scotch to make me really fall in love with whisky. I’ve never looked back.
Kate – This is very complex. Toasted marshmallows over a campfire in an apple orchard in the fall. Hard to define individual tastes and notes. The Ardbeg Ardbog tastes like meeting your idol, and having them be everything you ever thought they’d be and more. Instant love. The perfect balance. I prefer to have it unwatered. The finish is like cuddling after the best sex of your life.
The deep smokey finish is so divine: feeling like you can breathe fire never tasted so good!
Meghan – The nose borders on being a bit too peaty for my taste but the richness of pipe tobacco brings it back into balance. I end up ignoring the palate because the deep smokey finish is so divine: feeling like you can breathe fire never tasted so good!
Henry – Smoky and cool as Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca. Finish seems like it’ll go on forever. Inspires long periods of silent appreciation.
Michael – Really balanced and integrated.
