Ardbeg Blaaack

Yes it's another limited NAS annual release from Ardbeg but this is a unique and very good offering. They did the 20th Anniversary right too bad it's like other good ones like Dark Cove or Kelpie it will never become a core release. Nose is very much like Uigeadail with it's rich wine influence however Uigeadail is sherry finished this one is Pinot Noir matured. I cannot find if it's blend of ex-bourbon and pinot noir or straight Pinot casks; the label suggests the latter. Right off the bat you'll notice this ins't as smoky as a typical Ardbeg and on the taste it's rounder and denser tasting not as many flavor spikes suggesting some quite mature casks or the pinot heavily dominates the smoke and youthful taste. Other than that it's back to the Uigeadail nose the molasses, and bacon are pronounced, the rich dark fruits from the wine, tart Michigan pie cherries, touch of burnt honey slight ardbeg citrus and an aromatic sweet smelling wood note. Taste is reminding me of Corryvreckan as it's a bit spicy to start with but it's not as intense as Corry and fades quickly, smoke and smoked meat come through behind the spice almost a smoked peppered bacon then it's all sweet, fruit and some barrel/wood notes. The tart cherry with a strawberry (Ardbeg 17???) and blackberry note along with the honey and syrup sweetness and then the nice oak and barrel char usually associated with bourbons. Finish is long as an Ardbeg is a mint type note shows up late palate/early on the finish when mixed with the tart cherry note and syrup sweetness makes almost a sweet cherry cough medicine taste settling into barrel char and honey/syrup sweetness. If you are fans of Uigeadial you'll really like this whisky and it's similarities, if you like Corryvreckan you'll like this whisky wishing for more spice and punch (if you can get it the White label committee release might have it), if you like both of those you'll love this whisky. Sadly it's almost already sold out in a lot of areas so if you are interested pull the trigger on this one quick as it won't linger on shelves like Grooves did.

I am an Ardbeg fan, a committee member, and a peat head. I know what to expect when tasting a new Ardbeg, which is something like a whisky creature from hell, in a nice way. But this, this was quite a rollercoaster. Blaaack was released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its committee, and has been marketed as the "black sheep" of Islay. They even matured this spirit in new zealand pinot noir wine casks, since new zealand is the only place, like Islay, where there is 7 sheep for each person. So, Pinot Noir meets Ardbeg... let's see what happens: Bottled at 46%abv, this is the standard release, with a burnished gold color, which is darker than most Ardbegs. On the nose, crazy stuff. Starts with Red fruits and shoe polish. It smells like cows and a farm. Hay. Salty, it has this aromatic grassy note. After the first sip it gave me seaweed, vanilla; and salt, but (and i don't know if this even exists) it is like old and damaged salt. Very weird stuff. On the palate, it is fantastic. White chocolate, mild pepper, a pleasant sulphuric note. it is super sweet, very lovely. Then, the aftertaste. It is a hell fire. Very sulphuric, pepper, salt and iodine. Meaty, like lamb. But after the first sip... it became amazingly sweet, with cotton candy, red fruits and nougat. Overall, i dont know what to tell you. In my tasting, the other 26 people loved it, but for me, even if it is a good, interesting dram it feels unbalanced and just crazy. It feels like it wanted to be complex with lots of flavors and aromas, but instead of developing them systematically, they just threw all notes in there with no order. That doesn't mean it is bad, it is actually pretty good, but unbalanced. At least for me it is. My final score is 90 over 100, and it is the first time the "balance" criteria of my scoring system is lower than the palate, nose and aftertaste.

The last few years, I don’t really think there’s been an Ardbeg Day release that’s impressed me. The only reason I’ve ever bought those, and generally the Committee Releases only , is more so just because it’s Ardbeg. I’ve always thought Ardbeg had a very enviable problem that it’s regular releases are so good ( 10, Uigi, Corey, and even now the 5), that it’s special ones always had a hard time matching up. Unless you spend high dollars and get the 17 and 19, the core range are always the best. Until this year. This one was probably the best Ardbeg Day release I’ve had. Far beating the last few: Perpetuum, Drum, Kelpie, etc. I wouldn’t say it’s better than the core...it’s just different. It has the sooty Ardbeg peat, but this time mixed with a fruity backbone. Think raspberry and sooty smoke. If you can find it reasonably priced, it’s a must try, especially if you’re an Islay fan. Thanks to @LeeEvolved for the pour!

ardbeg blaaack (46%) 아드백 블래ㅐㅐㅐ액 캐스크 : Pinot Noir 향 : 케이스의 블랙 양을 보고 향을 맡아서 그런지 검은양 털 깊숙히 코를 박은 듯한 느낌입니다. 피트경험이 많이 없지만, 아드백의 차분한 피티함이 오늘따라 맘에 듭니다. 스모키한 피티함이 라프로익이나 탈리스커와는 확연히 다른 느낌이고, 오히려 쉐리나 버번족들이 더 쉽게 피트에 도전해볼수 있는 향이지 않을까 하는 생각이 들 정도입니다. 시간이 더 지나자 스모키함이 차분히 깔립니다. 입을 벌리고 마시듯 향을 맡으니 김밥마는 발 향처럼 나무향이 납니다. 맛 : 피노 누아 캐스크 답게 입 안에 머금자 먼저 '가볍다' 느낌이 듭니다. 그러면서도 동시에 '스모키함의 단단한 알맹이가 있다' 는 느낌이 듭니다. 과일스러운 느낌 (과일향은 잘 안느껴졌습니다) 이 듭니다. 여러 시음기에 체리맛(피노누아 와인에서도 자주 등장)이 등장하는데 저는 아무리 집중해도 아직 체리맛은 모르겠습니다. 피니쉬 : 은은한 타바코, 스모크한 연기가 남아있다가 적당할 때쯔음 아주 살짝 부드러운 후추함을 남기고 사라집니다. #가볍지만 단단한 아드백스러움 #체리맛은 어디숨어있니 요즘은 하팍이나 아드백의 스모키함이 맛나게 느껴지네요 ㅎㅎ

On the nose, sasaparilla, a dry bubble gum like old school Hubba Bubba, a remembrance of newly unwrapped 90's cassette tape and a distinct yet distant moth ball note. On arrival, an ashy dry peat, white fruits, longan berry, with no sweetness to speak of. Probably the dryest Ardbeg I have tried. Development is short and the finish is lingering ash. The nose is my favorite part of this dram with the mouth feel on the thin side which was unexpected. Worth the experience but no need to lament not getting your hand on this release.

A delightful Ardbeg dram. The aromas start with the typical Ardbeg peat with some smoke, but quickly the elegant sweetness of wine cask, that from fortified red wines, comes into presence. The palate is complex with lots of nuts and roasted oak. Some vanilla complements the peat and smoke. Extremely smooth texture and oily too that cover your tongue thoroughly. The finish is roasted nuts and some fruity sweetness. Overall a really nice Ardbeg Feis Ile release that beat most the previous years’ ones.