Ardbeg 13 year old

Recently a friend of mine, his father-in-law and I had a tasting session. We actually went through 13 drams in one sitting. A long but very good night! The whiskies we went through in order were Bushmills Black Bush, Macphail's Collection Bunnahabhain 1990 (bottled in 2006), Bruichladdich 10 year old (bottled in 1979), Ardbeg Blasda, Port Ellen 25 year old (distilled 1980 bottled 2006), Bowmore 1956 (distilled in 1956, bottled in 1983), Glenfiddich 15 year old, Gordon and MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Ardbeg 13 year old (distilled in 1972), Ardbeg 10 year old, Ardbeg Lord of the Isles, Ardbeg Uigeadail, Gordon and MacPhail Caol Ila 16 year old (distilled in 1969) and the Ardbeg Supernove. Over the next few days I will be writing up my notes. I won't be re-reviewing those malts I've already reviewed, but there are plenty of new ones.

The Ardbeg 13 year old (Gordon and MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice, distilled 1972) was the intellectualy curiosity of the night. We had this one, and then the modern Ardbeg 10 year old straight afterwards for a comparison.

The smell of this is much sharper and more aggressive than the modern Ardbeg. Full of peat, smoke, salt and a sweet maltiness. Just a hint of honey, and a slight floral note. A lot more like modern Lagavulin's and Laphroaigs, this is aggressive but a lot of fun. It attacks my nose with gusto, and I love it! The modern Ardbeg seems a lot more civilised, and a lot less youthful, which is interesting given the modern Ardbeg is bottled at 10 years, and this is bottled at 13. Maybe the rumours of much older stock in the 10 year old are true.

The taste is much more like the modern Ardbeg. Smooth, civilised and warm. The usual waves of peat, smoke and salt, with just the barest medicinal iodine note being counteracted by a nutty caramel sweetness. The mouth feel, complexity and flavour profile are fairly similar to the modern 10 year old.

The finish is long, and very similar to the 10 year old. Warm and gentle peat smoke lingers for ages, with notes of caramel, salt and a barest floral hint.

This is a lot of fun, and side-by side with the modern 10 year old, I must say I prefer the more youthful seeming 13 year old. But not by much, they are both excellent drams!

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