Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Worth the Wait
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Review by @Nemesis101
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
- Balance~
- Overall89
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Introduced a few years ago as a replacement for the legendary Airigh Nam Beist. It's got big shoes to fill so let's see how it does.
Tasted with water and allowed to open up for a few minutes.
Nose: Do I need to say peat-smoke? A little bit more earthy than Laphroaig's style however, less of the TCP/Iodine notes although they are still there. A lot of salty sea-spray. A touch of mint, slightly zesty - lemony/grapefruit. Very subtle sweetness - just a hint of white chocolate.
On the palate I get minty-sweetness with loads of smoke but with a strong prickly bite. So adding a little more water..... And that has softened it up more, allowing the earthy peatiness to dominate but with almost herb-like backing flavours. Citrus returns, the mint fades. Hints of chocolate remain. A curious combination.
It then leads to a wonderfully dry briney finish that lasts. In fact I'd say the finish is the best part of this whisky but I am a fan of dry lingering finishes, (hence my love of Clynelish).
It's one of the more subtle Ardbegs if there is such a thing. Not as good as Nam Beist, (but I do think that was a one-off never to be repeated malt). It definitely works best with water and time allowing it to open up. The bottle itself has been open a few months too which might aid it.
In price/value ratio probably not quite as good as Uigeadail but better than the 10, (which although an excellent whisky, I think is very overpriced nowadays).
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Actually this is my favorite of the standard three Ardbegs. I generally keep an open bottle around, but I'm currently enjoying various bourbons in this heat (101 F today, about 36 C). Peated and sherried whiskies don't work as well at these temperatures, although Clynelish, Craggamore and Glenmorangie do work. I'll definitely be picking up bottles of Corryvrecken again in a few months.