Ardbeg - An Oa
Price: $66.35
Whisky Advocate top 10 of 2017- #6
| Producer | Ardbeg |
| Country | Scotland |
| Region | Islay |
| Style | Single Malt Scotch |
| Sku | 01699 |
Ardbeg Description
A welcome new addition to the Ultimate range. Ardbeg An Oais singularly rounded, due in no small part to time spent in our newly established bespoke oak Gathering Vat where whiskies from several cask types - including; sweet Pedro Ximenez; spicy virgin charred oak; and intense ex-bourbon casks, amongst others - familiarise themselves with each other. The result is a dram with smoky power, mellowed by a delectable, smooth sweetness. Hallmark Ardbeg peat, dark chocolate and aniseed are wrapped in smooth, silky butterscotch, black pepper and clove, before rising to an intense crescendo of flavor.
Non chill-filtered with a strength of 46.6% ABV.
Light gold in color, the aroma is rounded and smoky - like burning Applewood - with creamy toffee, aniseed, treacle and dates. A curious suggestion of juicy fruits, such as peach and banana. With a drop of water, reminders of Ardbeg’s classic fragrance – lime, pine resin, fennel, saddle soap and tar. A gentle waxiness, like fragrant candle wax, and hints of smoked herbs. An Oa gives a final subtle reminder of the sea with briny notes and seaweed but always accompanied with creaminess.
The taste has a smooth, creamy texture leads into a huge syrupy sweetness, flavours of milk chocolate, treacle toffee, aniseed, orange and smoky tea leaves. Gentle, sweet spices (nutmeg & cinnamon), some cigar smoke, and a very unusual flavor of grilled artichokes. Wood is always present in the spirit, gently nutty and reminiscent of a carpenter’s workshop. A long, sweet finish, with floral overtones, mint toffee and some gentle malty biscuit notes.
The finish is lingering, seductive, gentle yet intense, with flavours of aniseed, hickory and distant subtle smoke.
Ultimate Spirits Challenge: 93 Points
Bright and toasty aromas are of crackers and crunchy butter biscuits. Cereal grains and smoke are powerful on the palate, with hints of honeyed wheat developing during the sip. Crunchy peanut butter candy on the finish is lip smackingly delicious.
Whisky Advocate: 93 Points
Ardbeg doles out occasional limited releases for their avid fans, but for nearly a decade the core range consisted of just three whiskies: 10 year old, Uigeadail, and Corryvreckan. The addition of An Oa, matured in a combination of virgin oak, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and bourbon barrels, and married in a French oak ‘gathering vat’ prior to bottling, marks a reason to celebrate. An Oa is a more approachable Ardbeg. It lacks some of the typical oiliness, but flavor and complexity abound with hot peat, black tea, and peppery cloves. Die-hard Ardbeg fans should have no complaints, and new converts have a real treat in store. —Gavin Smith
