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Colour: Bright golden. Non coloured.
Nose: Very discreet first, but as we say in Germany: “Quiet Waters are deep” Forest honey, dried meadow herbs, clover, dried corn flowers all that backed by very soft, almost flattering, sugar covered smoke. This nose awakes imaginations of an idyllic picture of an old dutch painter: A beautiful landscape with haystacks and trees under the autumn sun, blue sky, happy farmers on their way back home...
Taste: The 56,3% rolling in with some elbows but still soft, very drinkable at full strength and not at all hurting. The peat takes one small step foward, but dominating the held back floral and herbal notes together with soft eucalyptus. Added water opens up a new range: Caramel spread on wholemeal bread, whalenuts, almonds, cocoa powder and dried fruits, always backed by perfectly balanced peat and honey.
Finish: Fine lingering bitterroot notes, chocolate and nuts on and on.
Conc.: Wonderful balanced and complex Ardbeg, the style is not typical Islay, but more like very traditional highlander.
Tasting date: 3/06/2010
Price in Germany (2008): 89 Euro
2010