Ardbeg An Oa

An Oa is named after the Mull of Oa in the south west of Islay, which offers the Kildaton coast (where Ardbeg distillery is situated) some protection from the worst the Atlantic has to offer! As such, Ardbeg An Oa is intended to show a more approachable side to Ardbeg single malt that's as rounded as the Oa peninsula, without losing the characteristic distillery style. Maturation took place in a combination of casks including Pedro Ximénez, charred virgin oak and ex-bourbon. N: Unexpectedly light and sweet. Fresh, herbal peat with a light aniseed touch. Light honey and malt are feathered by orange sprtiz and a leafy smoke in the distance. P: Sweet peat. This is light and walks a delicate balance of dryness and oiliness. Smoke builds through the profile with a little saltiness. An umami character not dissimilar from ham sits comfortably amongst tobacco and bitter marmalade. F: Medium. Dark chocolate, bonfire smoke, black tea, a little citrus. I had to pull up my notes on Ardbeg 10 from the open this is clearly cut from the same cloth. Theres a lot to enjoy here, particularly on the nose and finish. But, missing here is some oomph. The ten doesn’t muck about, it hits hard. this An oa is softer of character and somewhat reserved. I don’t know about the extra AUD$20 this costs over the 10 but it is an enjoyable and easy expression of Islay. Distiller whisky taste #226 [Pictured here with another wee beastie, this time a trilobite from the genus Paralejurus. This chunky boi is ~420-350 million years old from the ancient sea floor of what is modern day Morocco. These trilobites reached up to 9 cm in length and were excellent at enrolling themselves up into a defensive ball. The head slightly smaller than the tail allowing for a perfect enrolment; a well rounded beastie for a well rounded dram] Ardbeg running scores: Ardbeg 10: 4.25/5 Wee Beastie: 3/5 Corryvreckan: 4.5/5 An oa: 4/5

An elegant, Single Malt Scotch Whisky by Ardbeg Distillery in Islay, Scotland; maturation took place in a combination of casks including Pedro Ximénez, charred virgin oak & ex-bourbon, which were all brought together to marry in Dr. Bill Lumsden's new 'Gathering Vat'; before being bottled at 46.6% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of smoke, charred applewood, tobacco leaf, toffee, mint, aniseed, treacle, dates, peach, banana orange cake & Honey Nut Clusters; while a rich & creamy life adds notes of chocolate limes, treacle toffee, orange, smoky tea leaves. nutmeg, cinnamon, cigar smoke, grilled artichoke, wood & golden syrup flapjacks; that led to a balanced & floral death of medium length with notes of mint toffee, malty biscuit notes, aniseed, clove, peanut brittle, black pepper & hickory smoke. May / August 2022 / May 2023

This is my first Ardbeg. What a beautiful peaty whisky! This whiskey offers a harmonious blend of earthiness, smoke, subtle sweetness and citrus. On the nose, you'll find roasted nuts, ash, a hint of smoke and lots of bandages. The palate reveals earthy notes alongside smoky ash, lemon, dark chocolates, iodine, and a refreshing sea salt spray. The finish, medium to long, leaves a delightful impression with lingering chocolate, ash, and salt notes. - Nose: Roasted nuts, ash, and smoke bandages. - Palate: Earthy, smoky ash, lemon, dark chocolates, iodine, and sea salt spray. - Finish: Medium to long, with chocolate, ash, medicinal with salt notes.

Nose: nice rich and sweet acrid smoke, a nice bit of spicy/smoky charred oak, a rich dark sticky sweetness from the PX influence. Creamy vanilla, a little bit of smoked meat, strong sea air and maritime peat. Seaweed? A tiny bit of cocoa and cinnamon. Palate: pungent Islay peat, rugged salinity and coastal earthiness with a nice robust smokiness. As it opens up an undergirding gentle PX sweetness presents, slightly sticky and earthy with a dark/red/dried fruit character. Creamy vanilla, a touch of black pepper, and a spicy oak. Finish: creosote, dried dark fruit, phenolic peat.

Nose: of course the classic Ardbeggian smoke, fresh charred oak, and a nice wintry/oaky spice that I'm guessing comes from the French Oak vat but very easily could come from the Virgin oak? Sweet, pipe tobacco, luxardo cherry, PX comes through with a nice sticky black cherry/plum. Palate: rich, full, sweet. Initially Vanilla, red currant, creamy malt, which quickly transition to more classic ardbeg elements of meaty/hammy smoke and strong briny/seaweed. Finish: peppery, a touch of bitter cocoa powder. Lengthy as many Islay expressions are.

Nose: prominent Ardbeggian smoked meat character, earthy/mossy peatiness, toffee, ash, leather, strong coastal salinity. Definitely picking up some of the charred Virgin oak spiciness here. Palate: well rounded with a nice little bite of heat. Prominently peaty which quickly gives way to a bit of candied/dried fruit sweetness, there's a noticeable sweet vanilla and nutmeg present here too. Maritime saline character stands strong throughout. A hint of tobacco as it transitions to the finish Finish: warming, spicy, a bit of anise