Ardbeg 8 Year 'For Discussion' (Committee Release 2021)

Ardbeg committee editions used to be an annual release that I’d be eagerly awaiting, like a kid on Christmas eve, as it got closer to their release date with a hope to procure their new smoky concoction. In Virginia, obtaining a bottle was relatively easy, until Ardfection-18 spread resulting in mad dashes for these alcoholic Tickle Me Elmos that vanished like a ghostly Houdini trick from shelves either by flippers looking to fund a Scrooge McDuck cash pool or enthusiasts looking to quench their yearning thirsts for smoky elixirs. Alas, I too caught Ardfection-18 and sought each subsequent release until Ardbeg accidentally released the vaccine known as Scorch which managed to literally scorch any desire for purchasing a full bottle of those special releases going forward. Now most of their new releases seem to be flair-covered marketing gimmicks that are similar to limited-edition Oreos that cost more and are usually unable to really outmatch their core range. So even though my obsession with obtaining full bottles has subsided, curiosity has me interested in what this latest edition of Ardbeg 8 “For Discussion” has to offer and thank you @PBMichiganWolverine for the generous sample. Now time to open this sample, follow the instructions on the bottle and do a little discussion. The nose is soft and subtle starting with charred lemon, toasted marshmallows and freshly laid asphalt then cocoa powder dusted prunes, vanilla extract and seaside rocky minerality followed by gooseberries, tangerine orange and ruby red grapefruit that transitions to smoldering campfire with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a thin to medium mouthfeel starting with sweet yet mildly sour citrus before a moderate bitter spice that slowly fades to candied lemon peel, dark chocolate covered bacon and burnt leaves then grilled figs, vanilla creme brûlée and seaside rocky minerality followed by blackberries, tangerine orange and lime zest that transitions to smoldering campfire with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length starting with mildly sour citrus that quickly fades to the background of asphalt, black pepper, seaside rocky minerality and moderate campfire ash. Oh Ardbeg, you used to be releasing one smash hit after another, but you’ve seemed to take the Nicholas Cage approach with over churning out special releases lately with this one being more enjoyable than other releases. It is unfortunately a rather tame dram with sour citrus, light smoke and lots of ash that IMHO falls below the 10 year, Oogie or Corry. Hopefully one day Ardbeg gets their mojo back and release some stunning drams again. Until then, I’ll be on the sidelines with the occasional sample of the new releases and enjoying some of the old hits along with the core range.

Sydney Whisky Show May 20th 2023. Whisky #30 Nose: Smoked herring; fish traps on an old wooden pier; asphalt roads near the sea with farms and haystacks on the other side. Flowers and aromatic herbs (fennel, mint) growing on the wayside. Lemon oil, treacle (!) and chocolate. Over time as it sits, and with the addition of a little water, the peaty side gains complexity with smoked meats and smoky red-berry aromas arising. A very good nose with no trace of the 50%+ ethanol presence intruding. Palate: Exquisite texture, oily, and satisfying like a well-grilled kipper. Peat smoke, asphalt, medicinal grade creosote, black pepper, TCP (! - hey, is this actually Laphroaig in drag?). Cough expectorant, glacé lemon and glacé cherries, freshly grated nutmeg, smoked salmon, grilled citrus wheels (ah, no it’s definitely Ardbeg). Caramel flavoured tar! The texture lingers and with water it loses nothing but develops a more creamy quality. Finish: Medium/long. Tar, pepper, liquorice, dark chocolate with lingering peaty citrus. Peat is the unquestioned star of the show here but subjectively this is not a loud whisky with a high level of peating. It is actually quite reserved but has so much assurance and depth from its oily texture that it seems more heavily peated than it really is. There is complexity and nuance throughout the nose and palate and the 50.8% abv strength is able to carry character and body without being obtrusive. Technically this is pretty much a perfect peated whisky (in my opinion anyway) and it drinks as more mature than 8 years old. It has genuine character without needing to shout and I love that. In hindsight this was the second best whisky I tasted on the day and I was very pleased to be able to find a bottle. Incredibly, when it was available this cost half as much as the decidedly ordinary Ardcore expression. No, I don’t comprehend that either. I would be delighted to see this become a permanent addition to the Ardbeg core range. It exceeds the Wee Beastie and is right up there with the perennially wonderful 10 year old, but with a different balance. Recommended. “Excellent” : 88/100 (4.5 stars)

When you hear the name “Ardbeg” you know what you typically call in for: peat, pepper, brine and sweetness (summarily). The palate, like a Pavlovian response, begins to salivate and begins to ready the dynamics. I am now ready for this eight year treat. What you would expect on the nose would be a dominant smoke/peat, heavily phenolic aroma. The phenols are present but dialed back. Sooty coal, dark chocolate, with a mix of lemon oil, black pepper, confectionery sugar. Maritime brine and sherry notes, that contribute figs and dates, hover and surround the other notes. Slightly dominant ethanol which interfere with the other notes. For a 50.8% abv, there is no bite, pins and needles, or numbness. The depth and breadth of flavor is small and narrow. Coal tar lays the base. Lemon peel, earthy leather. A subtle vanilla sweetness keeps the earthiness in bounds. What remains is cigar ash, black licorice, dark chocolate and did I say cigar ash? Which rides out for an eternity. I think the descriptions above summarize the pour. Mainly, the lack of range which surprises me. The Cory, Ugi and even the 10 are explosive, dynamic and broad. This one leaves me wanting more because I wasn’t provided more. It’s decent in general. But a passable pour. It posses nothing to make it stand out or differentiate itself. Stick with the Ardbeg core and you won’t be disappointed. Thanks @PBMichiganWolverine for the sample. [85/100][Tasted: 9/24/22]

Let's discuss it. The Ardbeg 8 year old is one of their newer expressions, and the first or second one if i am not mistaken from Ardbeg's new master distiller, who was a former Lagavulin whisky maker. This whisky labeled "for discussion" is bottled at 50.8%abv and it is a committee release. On the nose, it starts powerful with a crazy aroma note of "poviden" lotion; then it turns into a chocolate mixed with earthy mud. Creolin, ashtray, coal. After a first sip, the aroma released vanilla ice cream, gooseberries and prunes. There is some bacon note in there too. On the palate, it is a little simple, but as most Ardbegs, it manages to give you an interesting experience. Vanilla, sulphur, wet grass, salt. It feels like s swamp mixed with a sea wave. Aftertaste is peaty and very typical from this distillery. Peat, ashtray, bonfire. Salt and a permantent marker. Crazy but nice stuff. Overall, this felt a little crazier than most Ardbegs, but also lighter. You actually don't feel all the usual powerful roughness from this distillery. If you ask me, it is like an Ardbeg mixed with Lagavulin. A nice whisky that i believe can be even better with more maturation. My score for it is a fair 91/100.

Nose: Massive hit of tar and burning charcoal. Subtle molasses sweetness then leads into green herbs/vegetables. Palate: Intense pepper that hangs around throughout. Licorice/aniseed initially... then Menthol. The tar and charcoal revives itself here.. Finish: Short quickfire finish, not very intense like the Ardbeg of old. Interestingly minty. Leaves a very mineral-like dry mouth/throat feel. An interesting dram. Was expecting a more brash, explosive Peat-beast for an "immature" fairly young-aged Islay dram (think Ardbeg 5 y.o Wee Beastie, and even Lagavulin 8 y.o.) It's a nice, quirky dram but I wouldn't rate this with Ardbeg's best. As a Committee release, I feel that it doesn't deserve to become a mainstay in the Ardbeg core range.

Nez cendré dominant, avec des notes de mie de pain en dessous, de levures, de sucre brûlé. Ensuite, un bois poivré apparaît de force, avec de la tourbe, de la fumée et encore du bois. Beaucoup moins élégant que le 10 ans, mais tout de même savoureux. Cela dit, je suis content de ne pas avoir payé pour une bouteille complète.