#ardbegday

What was a purpose to launch this Committee? Since Ardbeg was struggling in the last century, felling silence twice, first in 1981 with the loss of 18 jobs, sencondly in 1991, they did not want this to happen again. The fan club aimed to build up a loyal follower base and providing privilages for the members.

Embassies’ mission is to provide a shelter or rather say a dram for Ardbeggians over the world. My nearest spot is the Good Spirit Bar in Budapest, this is where I spent joyful hours in the framework of tasting session. The bar is located in the hearth of Budapest and with the big Ardbeg poster it was easy to spot. Stepping in the door a fine spirit enthusiast already has been sweeped off from his/her feet. Wide range of whisk(e)y, gin, rum and other goodies are displayed luring you to taste them. The tasting packs were already lined up in a wood tray, next to them a small basket of bready stuff to clear your palate. It is a big help after a second glass of peat explosion is your mouth. A full jug of water and pipettes are also provided to figure out how the aromas evolve by a few drops of water.

The samples lined up in the following order: Oa (46,6%), 10 years old (46%), Scorch (46%), Wee Beastie (47,4%), Uigedail (54,2%), Corryvreckan (57,1%). A great presentation were accompanied the tasting session, starting from scratch, the meaning of the name, the location, brief history just to put it into a context.

Confessing the truth my tasting buds got tired after the first four dram. The high level of ABV in case of Corryvreckan and Uigedail totally disabled my tongue so I will give them another try some other time.

An Oa is truly fantastic, thank God the core range was extended with it a few years ago. It’s light, thin, easy to go, it is like ’the girl next door’ in the Ardbeg portfolio. The afterglow is beautiful: the mild ash lingering in the mouth for several minutes.

The 10 years old flagship is a more serious player, giving a punch in the face with its medicinal peatiness. Invite me for a dram and we will be friends for life.

Wee beastie is the youngest release, „untamed by years”. It was matured in Ex-Bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks and the effect of sherry is distinctive. What a pity the raw acetyl quickly break it and starts to remind me to a hungarian cherry pálinka(fruit brandy). Personally I think the 5 year old maturation was not enough, few more years would probably round it out.

Throw stones at me but after my first meeting with Scorch I would not say this is a typical Ardbeg for me. It was sweet, oily, rounded, completed. Vanilla definitely made its way. The sweetness overwhelmed the medicinal peat. Interesting one, the distillery showed its another face to the devoted fans. Considering the pricing, no doubt Ardbeg is the Macallan of Islay, however the new design does not reflect the exclusiveness, it rather reminiscence the cheap shops with colorful chinese stuff. Scottie put on a cartoon kind of look like a fat Super Mario stuggling with the vicious dragon to free up the Princess.

If I was a Princess the Blaaack would definitely rescue me from the prison. The groundbreaking sweet escape from the prison of worn-out expressions. Blaaack was bottled for the 20th anniversary of the Committee, matured in Pinot Noir casks from New Zealand. From an island where sheep outnumbers the locals and the marketing creatively supports this thought. The cutest design that I have seen in a while. On a side note did you know that on island of Orkney the sheep exclusively eat kelp? The sea wash up this plant to the shore providing nutritients for the animals. Since the sustainability and not even green but blue economy came to focus this kelp business could be a blossoming business.

Coming back to my original topic… I may sound very judgy at some point but overall I am happy that the distillery kept experimenting through the years and keeps us excited till the International Ardbeg Days. Moreover I am grateful we have a shrine in Budapest where we can pursue our sinful passion.

Cheers,