Ardbeg "An Oa" 46.6% (virgin oak, PX, first fill bourbon)

NAS Ardbeg. Core range. Hype casks.

Colour Light gold.

Nose Vegetal, medicinal peat and tropical fruits. Rubber and bananas. Fresh grapes, bubblegum. Black liquorice and assorted lollies. A nice touch of acidity.

Palate Vegetal peat and fruity caramel. Malt, and a watery mouthfeel, though it does thicken a touch. Becoming sweeter – herbal sweetness. Fennel and aniseed. Light notes of dried fruits. There’s a savoury, perhaps mushroomy edge to the palate and a touch of tangerines.

Finish Smoke, rosemary oil, and liquorice. Vegetal peat, shredded carrots. Ash and orange juice – sweetness and acidity. Smoked veggies. Long and smoky. Very warming. Some astringency and a touch of salt.

Comments Perfectly pleasant peated malt. The sweetness of the nose and relative dryness of the finish is an interesting contrast. 84/100.

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