Ardbeg 8 For Discussion

Now that I am a member of the ultra exclusive club known as the Ardbeg Committee (lol! i just joined a website) I have the good fortune to be able to purchase bottlings like this: an 8 year old that is, apparently, up for discussion. Aged, at least in part, if not completely, in ex oloroso casks. Well, with that out of the way, let's discuss ...

Bottle's been open a good few weeks now, 3/4's left, and the review is with a wee splash of water. Lots of Scotch mist emerges ... Looks a bit like Ouzo!

Nose - quite fresh and flinty. I imagine limestone cliffs being crashed with big waves. Quite creamy also, Sprite, soft oak, ash and herbal peat (Tiger balm). A wee touch of Pilsner too. It's clearly young but not raw or spirity in any way, and not a total peat bomb either.

Taste - ashy, a little salt (or pickle brine, is more on point), lemon and lime - so a touch of sweet and sour - and maybe, maybe, the merest hint of 'sherryness' in the background. More of those Pils beer notes as it develops along with star anise (Ouzo ha!). A relatively light mouthfeel but full of flavour. Precise.

Finish - short but crisp. Very soft tannins come out and it's here that the sherry casks make themselves known - a welcome touch of red berry jam sweetness is left on the tongue that builds as you sip, as well as some ash tray. Pleasantly drying - the cask influence is perfect.

Yeah I quite like this. I expected more of a peat bomb but it shows a good balance whilst still giving peat heads their fix. I would say I'm enjoying this more than I did my last bottle of the 10, so make of that what you will. It's straightforward but delivers in a very chiseled and precise manner. Clean, if you will. And the tannins are delightfully drying.

I'm still yet to try the 5 but I would say this is a success at 8 years young. Less chocolate limes and smoke than I find in the 10, but I do love the crisp finish here - makes it very quaffable!