Ardbeg Uigedail - 54,2%
Photo taken somewhere in Stuttgart
Countless Gold medals, awards and even attributes like "best whisky in the world" have distinguished this NAS Ardbeg for many years. It's fair to say that it's also in the Whisky Digest's top list, minimum top ten as a matter of fact. But it's good to go back to it from time to time, and to keep it under surveillance, just to be sure it didn't taint. *Cough, cough... Color: Gold.
Nose
Strong green tea infused with oakwood chips in an old leather tube! Earthy notes, together with a distinctive vanilla sweetness, butter scotch and cake. We also find some dried mint leaves in there. Some drops of cough syrup as well (the flu is going around, isn't it). A very balanced and fresh, yet heavy bouquet. Beautiful.
Palate
Sweet, herbal and spicy. Strong black tea (prepared in a russian samowar) with caramell and dark chocolate. Theres is also a hint of hazelnut creme, which must come from the homeopathic usage of sherry casks. Even if the texture is heavy and strong, the destillate is still round and well balanced. No water needed here for sure.
Finish
Long and lingering, with artichokes and the characteristic Ardbeg lemons.
Rating
Some people say the quality of the Uigedail decreased over the years. Hard to say from our point of view. Without any doubt, this is a bloody good dram! Even if we found the Ardbeg Dark Cove a bit more complex. Looks like Ardbeg and Sherry Casks are great companions.
