Ardbeg Spectacular

Nose: peaty, smoke, tobacco. Bacon fat. Light fruity elements come through as the nose opens up. Mild port sweetness. Sticky dark syrupy fruit. Nice salinity Palate: peaty, but surprisingly smooth. Port influence is here but well balanced with classic ardbeg peat and smoke elements. Candied dark fruit. Light Creme brulee Finish: light ash. Peat. Hints of dried fruit. A-B with the 10 brings out so much young, fruity, chewy malt notes from the 10. The 10 is noticably hotter at the same proof.

Ardbeg smoke and blueberries, dark chocolate, and citrus meld together perfectly. Nose: Raisins, Dark Chocolate, Smoke, Iodine, Berries, Apricots, Pineapples, Date Syrup, Blueberries, Strawberries, Chili Peppers, Ginger Palate: Smoke, Iodine, Bacon, Raisins, Mackerels, Dark Chocolate, Morello Cherries, Plums, Grapefruit, Blueberries Finish: Mesquite Smoke, Hickory Smoke, Coal, Blueberries, Figs, Grilled Artichokes

Texture’s rounder than the standard Ardbeg, but the flavor profile is still similar; plenty of smoke, ash and seaweed, but perhaps fewer citrusy accents. Can't say the port barrel contribution is clear flavor-wise (some dried fruit, but you have to look for them), yet this is still a very pleasant Ardbeg variation.

92 proof. Aged in port wine and bourbon barrels. Sweeter peat, cherry, salted orange, banana, candied ham, wine, salted chocolate, bacon, fruit cocktail, honey, vanilla, caramel, toasted barley and corn, graham crackers, charred oak, butter popcorn, pineapple, vanilla.

Campfire smoke, licorice, eucalyptus, pear, apple, nutes, sea salt, leather. There is a lot going on with this. A lot of arrows coming in from different directions which eventually end up alligning to make a great scotch.

A much drier smoke aroma and flavor than I usually expect from Ardbeg, leaning more char or wood smoke than peat. Still quite good, medium to rich body, spicy and peppery on the tail.