Quality review as always. Had earlier in the year from a sample swap and really impressed. My go to Ardbeg had always been the Corry but with so many new peated whiskies around Ardbeg hasn't been my first thought these days. Just purchased myself before they adjust the price!!!! Thanks for the nudge I needed.
Yeah, a very good 'special' bottle from Ardbeg makes a change. I saw the new label for the BBQ release and got offered a Hypernova as a committee member. I saw the price and lack of transparency, just shocking.
Great review. Received a bottle today (£60 + delivery) and your tasting was very similar to mine. Really liked it but not as much as the Uigeadail. Agree wholeheartedly about Ardbegs pricing of the specials. More at this price point please Ardbeg.
Another typically thoughtful, honest, well-articulated review. Thanks for that! I've watched and enjoyed plenty of your reviews, and now I've subscribed. The Ardbeg 10-year old has always brought me joy. To me, it does what it's supposed to do rather nicely; as well, it did launch my peat journey. Still, I find myself craving the Port Charlotte 10 even more, and I tend to reach for the Ledaig 10 (which, like so many others, is experiencing an infuriating and painful price hike in my area) before the Ardbeg 10. If I could have only one Ardbeg on my shelf, it would be Uigeadail without the slightest hint of hesitation worming its way into that decision. As regards the 8yo, I'm now quite interested in trying it if I can find it. Seems a little more complex than the 10? Plus, the higher ABV... Picking up my first bottle of the Kilkerran Heavily Peated day after tomorrow--VERY excited to dive into that!
HP Kilkerran is a delight. I can't wait for you to try that. Ardbeg 10 is such a good bottle that it is impossible to ignore. The fact that it opened the door to PC10 and Ledaig 10 is a marvellous start to your peaty adventure!
I haven't bought it, principally because I've not found an Ardbeg yet that I thought was better value than the standard 10yo. But I am intrigued ... maybe I'll snaffle a bottle. Thanks for the review.
This beats Lagavulin 8 any day (at least regular batch; didn´t have the 2016 version). If you´re a fan of higher abv buy this one instead of the 10yo. Btw there´s a small portion of refill sherry casks in it. Almost unnoticeable influence. But you can taste a little sweetnes in the background.
I have a bottle of the 8yo I haven't opened yet as I have tasted it before and enjoyed it very much. Full agreement on Uigeadail vs Corryvrecken. Much prefer Uigeadail but had a not-so-good dram of Oogie in the Jar in Manchester the other week so could be there are some lesser batches out there. I tend to believe in just sticking to Oogie, 10 and this 8yo cos then I'm content with Ardbeg despite all the silly stuff going on.
Limitations are sometimes a good thing, especially when it comes to those three bottlings. I'll have to buy another Oogie to see if the lesser batches are still around.
We bought a bottle at the distillery in 2021 after preferring it over the Arrrrdbeg (which we never really considered). For me it’s something a little bit different, and sits near the 10 in rank. Far shot from the Uigeadail, but better than some of the other special releases like the Drum, certainly better than this years Ardcore. I’d assume Master of Malt is taking advantage of broader shipping than Ardbeg? I wouldn’t pay close to 150, but I also can’t get Ardbeg to ship me the 8 (not that MoM ships to the US these days).
Just checked. €195 here in Ireland. All mainstream Ardbegs here now over €100, some nicely so. Thankfully can still get the ten for €75….but for how long?!
Good review as always 🤗 I have all the core range Ardbeg in my selection. I've never been intrested in the over priced releases with made up crap stories. My favourite Ardbeg so far are Corrywreckan and Uigeadail. Both equally good for diffrent reasons. After that its hard for me to decide wich of the AnOA, 5yo and 10yo comes first. I also have the 8yo in the dresser, but I haven't tried it yet. Hope I'll get the time to do that soon. 😋
People get triggered by the ardbeg marketing but I think the core range (particularly the 10, uigi, and this) are excellent. Personally, I don’t mind the marketing behind the special releases, at least they are trying to do something different and keep the die hard wanting more
Oh, the core range is one of the best in the world, no doubt. The special releases certainly have special labels, and if the price is equal to the fun of the label and the marketing, I'm in! But for most of the case the bottles are too expensive.
Also not bought any of the Ardbeg specials for a long time. I don’t have this either. At a tasting I tried the Ardcore blind and thought it was decent enough, thinking it was something affordable, at about £45 I’d have bought a bottle right there. When the guy told me it was a ~£120 bottle I just walked away (that was before knowing there was a 50%+ and a ~43/46% version, both at the same price). They are definitely taking liberties with the pricing vs what you’re actually getting with these special editions - at half the price they’re worth a punt, once you’re over that £65/70 mark you’re in the world of some exceptional bottles, “special” or not.
100% agree about the "special". But like we say at the OSWAs "you can't fault a distillery for doing a good job". The core range is perfect. C'mon man, 2 high proof contradictory offerings and the king of 10 year olds. What more could we want? I know! : Overpriced BS! Or something at 40%. I appreciate your review and tasting notes. Thank you, I haven't seen this at any price. The last "special" for me was the Blaaack. Or now that I think about it it was a reasonably priced Cairdeas. I expect the next one to be well over $100USD. 😭
They do have a killer core range; that can't be argued. But special whiskies stopped being that a while ago. They're just commodities now, NFT's and whatnot.
Quality review as always. Had earlier in the year from a sample swap and really impressed. My go to Ardbeg had always been the Corry but with so many new peated whiskies around Ardbeg hasn't been my first thought these days. Just purchased myself before they adjust the price!!!! Thanks for the nudge I needed.
Yeah, a very good 'special' bottle from Ardbeg makes a change. I saw the new label for the BBQ release and got offered a Hypernova as a committee member. I saw the price and lack of transparency, just shocking.
Great review. Received a bottle today (£60 + delivery) and your tasting was very similar to mine. Really liked it but not as much as the Uigeadail. Agree wholeheartedly about Ardbegs pricing of the specials. More at this price point please Ardbeg.
Oogie for life.
The bottle on MoM was probably from a private collection (they sometimes list them) and so that probably explains why the price is so much above RRP.
More than likely. I just think it was a silly thing to list it when Ardbeg has it in stock still.
Awesome review my friend. Cheers!
Thanks, Rob!
Very good Phil ! Would like to hear your thoughts on recent Uigeadail expressions
Yes, mine too in all honesty. It's on the list.
Another typically thoughtful, honest, well-articulated review. Thanks for that! I've watched and enjoyed plenty of your reviews, and now I've subscribed.
The Ardbeg 10-year old has always brought me joy. To me, it does what it's supposed to do rather nicely; as well, it did launch my peat journey. Still, I find myself craving the Port Charlotte 10 even more, and I tend to reach for the Ledaig 10 (which, like so many others, is experiencing an infuriating and painful price hike in my area) before the Ardbeg 10. If I could have only one Ardbeg on my shelf, it would be Uigeadail without the slightest hint of hesitation worming its way into that decision.
As regards the 8yo, I'm now quite interested in trying it if I can find it. Seems a little more complex than the 10? Plus, the higher ABV...
Picking up my first bottle of the Kilkerran Heavily Peated day after tomorrow--VERY excited to dive into that!
HP Kilkerran is a delight. I can't wait for you to try that. Ardbeg 10 is such a good bottle that it is impossible to ignore. The fact that it opened the door to PC10 and Ledaig 10 is a marvellous start to your peaty adventure!
I haven't bought it, principally because I've not found an Ardbeg yet that I thought was better value than the standard 10yo. But I am intrigued ... maybe I'll snaffle a bottle. Thanks for the review.
It has elements of the 10YO about it. But as an affordable, fun Ardbeg, it is quite good.
This beats Lagavulin 8 any day (at least regular batch; didn´t have the 2016 version).
If you´re a fan of higher abv buy this one instead of the 10yo.
Btw there´s a small portion of refill sherry casks in it. Almost unnoticeable influence.
But you can taste a little sweetnes in the background.
Fully agreed!
I think Americans call it cilantro (coriander) iirc
Thank you! I refused to Google this as it was stuck in my brain somewhere.
I have a bottle of the 8yo I haven't opened yet as I have tasted it before and enjoyed it very much. Full agreement on Uigeadail vs Corryvrecken. Much prefer Uigeadail but had a not-so-good dram of Oogie in the Jar in Manchester the other week so could be there are some lesser batches out there. I tend to believe in just sticking to Oogie, 10 and this 8yo cos then I'm content with Ardbeg despite all the silly stuff going on.
Limitations are sometimes a good thing, especially when it comes to those three bottlings. I'll have to buy another Oogie to see if the lesser batches are still around.
Just becoming available for normal price in the Netherlands. Wonder if the quality of these batches are on par.
Another comment asked the same question. I really hope so, it's the only Ardbeg I'd spend money on anymore.
We bought a bottle at the distillery in 2021 after preferring it over the Arrrrdbeg (which we never really considered). For me it’s something a little bit different, and sits near the 10 in rank.
Far shot from the Uigeadail, but better than some of the other special releases like the Drum, certainly better than this years Ardcore.
I’d assume Master of Malt is taking advantage of broader shipping than Ardbeg? I wouldn’t pay close to 150, but I also can’t get Ardbeg to ship me the 8 (not that MoM ships to the US these days).
I'm assuming MoM bought a private collection and are adding a mega margin to the item. Glad to hear you enjoyed the whisky!
Just checked. €195 here in Ireland. All mainstream Ardbegs here now over €100, some nicely so. Thankfully can still get the ten for €75….but for how long?!
Wow. Those are insane prices. Stock up a little while you can, back of the cupboard stuff.
I bought this and the Hypernova. Not opened this but the Hypernova is amazing. Great review. 🥃
I've heard such mixed things about it. Overall opinions? As smoky as it claims?
Good review as always 🤗
I have all the core range Ardbeg in my selection. I've never been intrested in the over priced releases with made up crap stories. My favourite Ardbeg so far are Corrywreckan and Uigeadail. Both equally good for diffrent reasons. After that its hard for me to decide wich of the AnOA, 5yo and 10yo comes first.
I also have the 8yo in the dresser, but I haven't tried it yet. Hope I'll get the time to do that soon. 😋
My views on Ardbeg, too. The core range is so strong, the special releases really need to be special, or atleast affordable.
65 euro a bottle now in the Netherlands 🇳🇱 it was 165 a bottle back in the days got me 2 bottles
For that price, it is an incredible whisky.
People get triggered by the ardbeg marketing but I think the core range (particularly the 10, uigi, and this) are excellent. Personally, I don’t mind the marketing behind the special releases, at least they are trying to do something different and keep the die hard wanting more
Oh, the core range is one of the best in the world, no doubt. The special releases certainly have special labels, and if the price is equal to the fun of the label and the marketing, I'm in! But for most of the case the bottles are too expensive.
Also not bought any of the Ardbeg specials for a long time. I don’t have this either. At a tasting I tried the Ardcore blind and thought it was decent enough, thinking it was something affordable, at about £45 I’d have bought a bottle right there. When the guy told me it was a ~£120 bottle I just walked away (that was before knowing there was a 50%+ and a ~43/46% version, both at the same price). They are definitely taking liberties with the pricing vs what you’re actually getting with these special editions - at half the price they’re worth a punt, once you’re over that £65/70 mark you’re in the world of some exceptional bottles, “special” or not.
Yeah, agree with all of this. Many things work against making any of the big releases particularly special.
100% agree about the "special".
But like we say at the OSWAs "you can't fault a distillery for doing a good job".
The core range is perfect. C'mon man, 2 high proof contradictory offerings and the king of 10 year olds. What more could we want?
I know! :
Overpriced BS! Or something at 40%.
I appreciate your review and tasting notes. Thank you, I haven't seen this at any price. The last "special" for me was the Blaaack. Or now that I think about it it was a reasonably priced Cairdeas. I expect the next one to be well over $100USD. 😭
They do have a killer core range; that can't be argued. But special whiskies stopped being that a while ago. They're just commodities now, NFT's and whatnot.
coz master of malt ships worldwide and ardbeg site only ships domestic😢
Ahhhhhh, that makes sense. Price is still mad.