Ardbeg 1999 Galileo 12 Year Old

The title of the movie "Layer Cake" refers to the layers or levels anyone in the drug business goes through in rising to the top. In Ardbeg Galileo that's just what I went through regarding taste. Of course I have to make it clear that the reference to the movie comes only from the title, there's nothing drug related in Galileo. It was pure fireworks of different flavors raising this whisky into the top charts of my taste buds. Even though I'm a big fan of smoke and a huge fan of Ardbeg's previous peaty products, the lack of peat was not a disappointment to me. In fact, this was a purely acceptable addition into the Ardbeg range. I wouldn't mind if this was one of Ardbeg's permanent products. Nice to see the delicate side of the otherwise so harsh whisky producer. It's kinda like XXXX, the masculine main character from Layer Cake played by Daniel Craig, had burst into singing and dancing in the 3rd act.

I've bumped into many negative remarks about the marketing of Galileo. I know that there's been lots of hype about their new-make spirit in space. That Galileo is supposed to be a 30 000 limited bottling celebrating Ardbeg's inter-stellar whisky and that it's been sold with ways to make it more desirable. I still have to say that I don't care. Stories to boost sales and productising are a everyday thing and after all, we are all adults for whom whisky is targeted for. We can always question the statements of the producers. At the end of the day, the backstories make the whisky tasting more interesting.

Nose: Tropical with some soft smoke. Very fruity with resemblance to wine, it must be the Marsala wine (I'm not a wine drinker myself).

Taste: The smoke clears very fast and after that there comes a layer of flavors such as some delicious wine, pineapple, creamy fudge, lemon and vanilla. Very smooth and though the taste is complex, yet it's easy to drink.

Finish: Soft and lasting finish with creamy and smokey notes.

Balance: Consistent and smooth, the delicate side of Ardbeg. A great mix of peat and fruit with emphasis on the fruity side.

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