Ardbeg Decision

@OCeallaigh I've never tasted the Beist, but it should be "softer" than the Uigeadail...this (Uigeadail) is a cracker, sherry plus peat at cask strength, you cannot be disappointed, even if you will probably need a little time in order to thouroughly enjoy it...

@OCeallaigh, who knows another man's taste? That said, I haven't tried the Airigh Nam Beist, but my reaction to my first taste of the Uigeadail was to go back out and buy three more bottles so that I could be sure to be able to drink it for a long time to come. It is my favourite malt.

Of course, "BOTH" is also a good answer to your question!

I second "both" as a solution as, for me at least, these two are the best of the recent affordable distillery bottlings. If I had to pic one it would be the Beist as it's a great example of pure ardbeg in the soft early 90's style. It's a mood thing really though and you perhaps get more value for money from the Uigeadail and whispers of the joys of early/mid 70's Ardbeg.

@OCeallaigh I had the chance to taste both. I personally own a Beast 2008 bottling and I've tasted several times the Uigeadail. Both are very good, in fact both are excellent, but I would go for Uigeadail if I were you and here is why. That is true that everybody has different taste favorites, but Peat and Sherry are hard to find and are really the best match in my opinion! In addition, Uigeadail is bottled at cask strength, so you have more bang for your buck. Whatever you choose, you can't be wrong... If all decisions could be that easy !

One more comment: I don't know how things are where you are, but I can tell you that the supplies of both the Airigh Nam Beist and the Uigeadail are rapidly disappearing in my area. Try one or both, and if you like it/them, now is the time to add another bottle or two.

I've never met an Ardbeg I didn't like. Blasda comes to mind as the tamest and it was still awesome.

Buy both -Airigh Nam Beist and Uigeadail are very different beasts (no pun intended) , I often go for both in the same night start with ANB and finish with Uigeadail- you wont be dissapointed

Heck might as well throw in the Corryvreckan while you are at it

The answer is both, or at least, it was for me.

So, @OCeallaigh, how are you liking that bottle of Ardbeg Uigeadail you added to your cabinet?

I am enjoying it quite a bit. It is so unique. Thanks everybody for your input. A buddy just got Corryvreckan, so we'll crack that bottle tonight. @Victor

I agree with the both statement. I was once waiting for four different Ardbegs to arrive at my local shop and once they did, I drove in and grabbed all four (the clerks expression was priceless, haha). The Uigeadail is a heavy-weight compared to the Nam Beist; it has a lot going on and is worth spending time with. The Beist is very elegant and, in my opinion, is the dessert scotch of Islay.

I recommend the Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist, if only because it is now discontinued, so the bottles will get rarer and rarer, while the Uigeadail seems like it will be around for a while yet. Apart from rarity, it is an outstanding single malt.

@olivier - I agree with Olivier. Though both are great whiskies, Airigh Nam Beist has been discontinued and the price is rising as it becomes more and more scarce. Uideadail is a core product in Ardbeg's range and will be there for you when you want to buy it to compare alongside the Beast. If you can buy both, do it. If not buy the Airigh Nam Beist.

Well, a couple days after i posted this discussion, I bought the Uigeadail. But today I sucked it up and bought the Airigh Nam Beist. It was the last bottle my store had, I couldn't not.

@OCeallaigh, you're my kind of guy. When in doubt, buy.

I'm thirsty and now on the prowl for both the Uigeadail and the Airigh Nam Beist. Thx everyone for the education!