Ardbeg Uigeadail

Yeah, @Devo, great stuff, Uigeadail, the best. Do note the interesting differences in the batches of Uigeadail. Batch bottling info is stamped on the bottles, in faint white on the back. NB my Uigeadail review for more detail on the batch info.

Thanks for the reference info on batch numbers. Very interesting. I've been wondering how to read those stamps. The bottle reviewed here is stamped: L11 151 05:45 6ML. I bought a couple more bottles after tasting this one, but they were from a different store. Those both have a stamp of L11 151 05:46 6ML. They remain unopened, of course, but considering they are so close together I'm hoping they are just as delicious.

@Devo, it would seem likely that your bottles would be very similar, since they were labeled as bottled one minute apart on May 31, 2011.

Victo/Devo I asked on the Ardbeg 10 year review. I have yet to try the Uigeadail, but I loved the Ardy 10 year old...how would you compare the two as ar as comparing nose and taste?

@stevesmyth30, the biggest difference is the much stronger sherry wine flavours in the Uigeadail. They are both very "Ardbegian".

thanks Victor....I saw a bottle of this at my local mom and pop...the guy really does his best to bring in some good selections. They also have the Supernova, has anyone tried that? I am curious to see as I love the Islay scotches.

@stevesmyth30, I own a bottle of Supernova 2010, but have never sampled the original Supernova. I like the SN 2010 very very much, but virtually all reports are that the original Supernova was decisively better. I enjoy the Supernova 2010 a lot, but I agree with those who assert that it is not impressive enough to justify the typically much higher prices than you would pay for the excellent choices of Uigeadail, Corryvreckan, Airigh Nam Beist, or Alligator (I have not yet tasted the Alligator).

@Victor, I haven't tried Airigh Nam Beist (although I really want to) or Supernova, but have tried Corryvreckan and Alligator. I'd mark the Corry maybe two points lower than the Uigeadail, simply because it isn't as complex. The Alligator is the only Ardbeg whisky I've tried that I haven't cared much for at all. It's over-the-top-smokey, sharp smoke, with big ash notes that remind me more of ashtray than the sweet creamy peat smoke that is typical of other Ardbegs. When you get around to trying it, curious what your thoughts are.

@Devo, I would describe Airigh Nam Beist as more delicate and feminine in its flavours than other Ardbegs. It is to my taste not as assertive as 10, Corryvreckan, Uigeadail or Supernova 2010 (with Supernova 2010 arguably the least assertive of those four. It too is actually somewhat subtle, like ANB, but not probably as floral as Airigh Nam Beist.) ANB is very beautiful, though, and I regard it very highly.

So I picked this up finally. I have yet to try an Ardbeg that I didnt like. I agree with Victor regarding the "sherry influences" here. It is a very enjoyable dram. In all honesty though, I prefer the simple 10 year Ardbeg as much, although they are clearly different. I found the 10 year to have more of that sea salt bite that I love so much. Now where I enjoyed this oogie more was when I paired it with a nice Cuban Monte Cristo #2...this is where this scotch shined over the 10 year. For some reason, the smoke from the cigar blended so well with this. My brother and I ended up polishing the whole bottle, along with two #2's each. needless to say, the next morning when i realized we canned a whole bottle, along with about 80 dollars in 4 cigars, I paced the floor a bit. :)

@Devo, when I have gotten a taste of the Alligator I will come back here and post some comments on it. There has been more of a division of opinion on that one than on most of the rest of the main Ardbeg line, it seems. That largely lukewarm initial response to Alligator upon its first release is the main reason why I have a dozen bottles of Ardbeg, but no Alligator yet. I wanted to try a dram before investing in a bottle. So far I have been frustrated for a year trying to find some place to sample a dram.

Nice review @Devo. And thx to all who are posting their experiences with the Ardbegs. I like those comparisons a lot, because I myself just know the Uigeadail. Next on the list is the standard 10yo I guess :)