I really enjoy your jamming. You have two very expensive hobbies like I do… music equipment and whiskey collecting…👍🏽🥃🤫 I still need to crack one of my Ardbeg whiskey.
Thanks for the compliment! Yes, they are both expensive hobbies. I also have gotten into espresso/cappuccino and bought a high-end Italian device plus accessories. And don't get me started on the UA-cam creator equipment. 😂 Cheers and let me know how you like your Ardbeg!
My wife brought this back from a recent trip. She found it in the Dubai Airport. Even with the exchange rate, it was only $275. Haven't cracked into it yet. My dad's 83rd birthday is coming up in a couple weeks. Plan on opening it then.
You have a wonderful wife, David. I'm in Cairo now and haven't had such luck at the Egypt airports, but I'll have to keep looking for deals. Happy Birthday to your dad! Slàinte mhath.
Hi Kevin, I just discovered your channel (due to my recent search for Ardbeg's Traigh Bhan and Hypernova). Love the music and I greatly appreciate your informed reviews of single malt Scotches, especially those from Islay. I was very fortunate to find a shop that carried both Scotches and I plan on ringing in the New Year with these and some of my other Islay favorites. Lastly, love the guitar riffs, they're a wonderful complement to your reviews! Sean
Hi Sean, thank you for discovering my videos and for the compliments about my guitar playing. You're very kind! I'm in Siem Reap and just bought a small bottle of Cambodian whisky, so I guess that's what I'm pouring to toast in the New Year. I hope you have a very Happy New Year! 🥃
Hey, Kevin. I’ve become a fan of your channel. Mixing music and whiskey is the best combination. Im an orchestra conductor who just started recently into whiskey. I’ve been meaning to ask you: I navigate the Johnnie Walkers and blended starters. I’ve always wanted to try Islay stuff. Would you say I can start with Lagavulin? Or is it a very steep change from JW? (I found my preference with the black) Or what would be a good introduction to Islay Whiskeys?
Hi, Jose. Thanks for the kind words! They mean even more coming from a music professional like yourself. Many blended whiskies do contain Islay or smokey Scotch, so it shouldn't be a huge leap. The difference is that JW has grain whisky in it and the Lagavulin is a malt Scotch (barley). I think you'd enjoy the Lagavulin 16. It's a lower proof, so you won't be put off by the higher alcohol levels from other expressions. Let me know what you pick and your thoughts. Cheers!
Thanks for the review.... I just bought the last available bottle still at a somewhat reasonable price.... I feel like I have a real treasure which will only become more valuable and more appreciated with time.
I've only tried batch 4, and i found it extremely underwhelming. The peat was much more aggressive than I'd expect from a 19 year old. It came across as much younger, and much less refined than the Uigeadail, which is a quarter of the price. I'm glad you enjoyed yours, Sláinte! 🥃
I haven't tried batch 4, but this annual release is very different from the Uigeadail. But after your comment, I am curious about the newer version. Thanks for sharing! Slàinte mhath!
Just bought this exact bottle. Most expensive bottle to date for me at $300. Its a birthday bottle per say. Tried my first pour along with you, very nice! Also, I like the jams and subscribed!
The Batch 1 was pricier than this one, which is why I started with Batch 2. There are very few Ardbegs that I dislike, but this one was pretty special.
On my second bottle of this fine dram ... its smooth, silky, you can taste the complexity and its not as raw as the standard expressions. The yearly committee releases are not as good, the exception being the Dark Cove, which beat it by a nose. Its a 91 / 92. It is expensive, but its one of the best things from islay I have so well worth it. The Octomore is worth a try and the old laproiag's like the 10 year cask strength are brothers. Great Review thanks.
Thanks Tom! Those are some excellent tasting notes and recommendations. I haven’t lusted over any of the committee releases, but I’ve been told that Scorch is good. I have yet to try the Dark Cove, but now I want to. Octomore is one of my guilty pleasure whiskies. It’s always hard to get, and priced as such, but I do love every release I’ve tried. Cheers!
Great review! And thanks to you I learned how to read the label on mine. Turns out I have batch one distilled in 2000. I was surprised how smooth it is compared to the other Ardbegs. Very much the Ardbeg flavor, with some added complexity and mildness. Very easy to drink. Cheers!
Thanks for posting this. I found someone local (vancouver, bc) that’s selling a couple bottles for $480 OBO each. Pricey as hell but Ardbeg is my favorite distillery so I’m tempted Edit: found out they’re batch 1, not 2 like yours
I’ve heard rumor that Batch 2 is better than Batch 1, but those are just rumors. And $480 is really up there… I wonder if ordering direct from Ardbeg would be cheaper. 🤔 Flaviar still has at least one bottle of Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old 2020 Edition for $313. If you are interested in that service, you can use my link to get some free whisky: fbuy.me/v/kevin_14516.
@@WhiskyRiffs yeah I may see if they’d lower the price. With the exchange rate $313 usd would be close to $400 cad. Still a lot for a consumable product. Similar to my Black Art 7.1 I paid around $550 CAD. Really nice whisky but I told myself I could have bought 5+ other decent bottles for that price lol. Thanks for the link I’ll check them out. Also I don’t know if Ardbeg ships direct to Canada 🤔
It's always tricky to get bottles shipped. I found some great deals from UK sources, but just getting a bottle delivered adds £80 sometimes. Good luck!
Thanks for watching and commenting! Each batch will have different flavors, it's the nature of this kind of expression. But that's a good thing because batch 4 may be better than the earlier ones. Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Thankfully, my wife is very kind and never complains about the money I spend on whisky. I panic about it way more than she does. 😂 Let me know your thoughts about it if you do get a bottle. Cheers!
Good question. It's delicious, but 6 times better? That's hard to say. As with anything, the law of diminishing returns applies. I'm thrilled that I bought it and have had the experience of tasting it, but I probably wouldn't have if I wasn't producing this episode.
That’s $40 cheaper than my price. It’s definitely an investment, but if you really like Ardbeg and would like to experience a more polished and subtle version of the Uigeadail, I think you’ll enjoy it.
The price scared me off for two years… and rightly so. It's not a cheap whisky. But if you are an Ardbeg fan and do get a chance to taste it, I highly recommend it. Cheers!
Yeah, couldn't get my hand on this yet here in Europe. Fast sold out and costs close to a fortune.. What a PEATY it is not constantly easy available...
@@WhiskyRiffs @Whisky Riffs Yeah, guess in the States is even much more harder to get as in Europe. I really like the most of Ardbeg's core range, so to have a 19 years old Ardbeg constantly available as real core range (not in batches) would be wonderful! Then I may even would be willing to pay a higher price as I would for another 19 years old Scotch.
I really enjoy your jamming. You have two very expensive hobbies like I do… music equipment and whiskey collecting…👍🏽🥃🤫 I still need to crack one of my Ardbeg whiskey.
Thanks for the compliment! Yes, they are both expensive hobbies. I also have gotten into espresso/cappuccino and bought a high-end Italian device plus accessories. And don't get me started on the UA-cam creator equipment. 😂 Cheers and let me know how you like your Ardbeg!
My wife brought this back from a recent trip. She found it in the Dubai Airport. Even with the exchange rate, it was only $275. Haven't cracked into it yet. My dad's 83rd birthday is coming up in a couple weeks. Plan on opening it then.
You have a wonderful wife, David. I'm in Cairo now and haven't had such luck at the Egypt airports, but I'll have to keep looking for deals. Happy Birthday to your dad! Slàinte mhath.
Hi Kevin, I just discovered your channel (due to my recent search for Ardbeg's Traigh Bhan and Hypernova). Love the music and I greatly appreciate your informed reviews of single malt Scotches, especially those from Islay. I was very fortunate to find a shop that carried both Scotches and I plan on ringing in the New Year with these and some of my other Islay favorites. Lastly, love the guitar riffs, they're a wonderful complement to your reviews! Sean
Hi Sean, thank you for discovering my videos and for the compliments about my guitar playing. You're very kind! I'm in Siem Reap and just bought a small bottle of Cambodian whisky, so I guess that's what I'm pouring to toast in the New Year. I hope you have a very Happy New Year! 🥃
Hey, Kevin. I’ve become a fan of your channel. Mixing music and whiskey is the best combination.
Im an orchestra conductor who just started recently into whiskey.
I’ve been meaning to ask you: I navigate the Johnnie Walkers and blended starters. I’ve always wanted to try Islay stuff. Would you say I can start with Lagavulin? Or is it a very steep change from JW? (I found my preference with the black) Or what would be a good introduction to Islay Whiskeys?
Hi, Jose. Thanks for the kind words! They mean even more coming from a music professional like yourself. Many blended whiskies do contain Islay or smokey Scotch, so it shouldn't be a huge leap. The difference is that JW has grain whisky in it and the Lagavulin is a malt Scotch (barley). I think you'd enjoy the Lagavulin 16. It's a lower proof, so you won't be put off by the higher alcohol levels from other expressions. Let me know what you pick and your thoughts. Cheers!
Thanks for the review.... I just bought the last available bottle still at a somewhat reasonable price.... I feel like I have a real treasure which will only become more valuable and more appreciated with time.
You're welcome! I hope you enjoy the Traigh Bhan 19. It ranks high on my list. Cheers!
I am nursing a bottle of batch 3 and I am very pleased with it. Fantastic spice profile and all flavors are extremely well integrated
I'm very impressed with the love Ardbeg put into these expressions. Cheers!
My 8yr old is a wee beastie! Three adult children deserves a special medal. Well done. You deserve a special wee dram.
Thanks, I appreciate that! The parenting never ends, it just changes in complexity and cost. ;) Cheers to you and your wee beastie! 🥃
I've only tried batch 4, and i found it extremely underwhelming. The peat was much more aggressive than I'd expect from a 19 year old. It came across as much younger, and much less refined than the Uigeadail, which is a quarter of the price. I'm glad you enjoyed yours, Sláinte! 🥃
I haven't tried batch 4, but this annual release is very different from the Uigeadail. But after your comment, I am curious about the newer version. Thanks for sharing! Slàinte mhath!
Just bought this exact bottle. Most expensive bottle to date for me at $300. Its a birthday bottle per say. Tried my first pour along with you, very nice!
Also, I like the jams and subscribed!
I'm glad you like it. Thanks for the compliments and the subscription. Cheer!
I got myself a batch 01, didn't open it yet. And I paid way more than you did... Nice vid, did not expect that you would not like it.
The Batch 1 was pricier than this one, which is why I started with Batch 2. There are very few Ardbegs that I dislike, but this one was pretty special.
On my second bottle of this fine dram ... its smooth, silky, you can taste the complexity and its not as raw as the standard expressions. The yearly committee releases are not as good, the exception being the Dark Cove, which beat it by a nose. Its a 91 / 92. It is expensive, but its one of the best things from islay I have so well worth it. The Octomore is worth a try and the old laproiag's like the 10 year cask strength are brothers. Great Review thanks.
Thanks Tom! Those are some excellent tasting notes and recommendations. I haven’t lusted over any of the committee releases, but I’ve been told that Scorch is good. I have yet to try the Dark Cove, but now I want to. Octomore is one of my guilty pleasure whiskies. It’s always hard to get, and priced as such, but I do love every release I’ve tried. Cheers!
That’s one damn health pour Kevin!
😂 I have to have some whisky left for my evening video editing session. Cheers!
Great review! And thanks to you I learned how to read the label on mine. Turns out I have batch one distilled in 2000. I was surprised how smooth it is compared to the other Ardbegs. Very much the Ardbeg flavor, with some added complexity and mildness. Very easy to drink. Cheers!
Thanks, Jared! Nice work grabbing the batch one release. I've debated about buying batch three, but at $320 I really have to want it. Cheers!
Thanks for posting this. I found someone local (vancouver, bc) that’s selling a couple bottles for $480 OBO each. Pricey as hell but Ardbeg is my favorite distillery so I’m tempted
Edit: found out they’re batch 1, not 2 like yours
I’ve heard rumor that Batch 2 is better than Batch 1, but those are just rumors. And $480 is really up there… I wonder if ordering direct from Ardbeg would be cheaper. 🤔
Flaviar still has at least one bottle of Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Year Old 2020 Edition for $313. If you are interested in that service, you can use my link to get some free whisky: fbuy.me/v/kevin_14516.
@@WhiskyRiffs yeah I may see if they’d lower the price. With the exchange rate $313 usd would be close to $400 cad. Still a lot for a consumable product.
Similar to my Black Art 7.1 I paid around $550 CAD. Really nice whisky but I told myself I could have bought 5+ other decent bottles for that price lol.
Thanks for the link I’ll check them out.
Also I don’t know if Ardbeg ships direct to Canada 🤔
It's always tricky to get bottles shipped. I found some great deals from UK sources, but just getting a bottle delivered adds £80 sometimes. Good luck!
Thanks for the review! I just picked up a bottle batch 4; it is not opened yet. Do you think there may be a difference among the batches?
Thanks for watching and commenting! Each batch will have different flavors, it's the nature of this kind of expression. But that's a good thing because batch 4 may be better than the earlier ones. Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Kevin thanks for the review. I might have the permission to buy as I could not get the octomore.
Thankfully, my wife is very kind and never complains about the money I spend on whisky. I panic about it way more than she does. 😂 Let me know your thoughts about it if you do get a bottle. Cheers!
Batch 2 was great. Literally picked up batch 3, yesterday. Slainte!
Nice! Where'd you pick up the Batch 3 bottle and for how much? Slàinte mhath!
Love it. I can't imagine drinking it w/out a wee bit of water in it though.
I'm lazy and just don't always think about adding drops of water, but I should more. Cheers!
Thank you
For the review? You're quite welcome. Are you an Ardbeg fan?
Nice review. Is it 6X better than the 10? Wish I could find it in a bar first.
Good question. It's delicious, but 6 times better? That's hard to say. As with anything, the law of diminishing returns applies. I'm thrilled that I bought it and have had the experience of tasting it, but I probably wouldn't have if I wasn't producing this episode.
@@WhiskyRiffs Your review is one of the best i've seen on this bottle. I'm really tempted to make the purchase. There is a bottle here for $299.
That’s $40 cheaper than my price. It’s definitely an investment, but if you really like Ardbeg and would like to experience a more polished and subtle version of the Uigeadail, I think you’ll enjoy it.
That pour just kept going and going
Agreed. It's a very complex expression. Cheers!
I came so close to buying a bottle but the price scared me off.
The price scared me off for two years… and rightly so. It's not a cheap whisky. But if you are an Ardbeg fan and do get a chance to taste it, I highly recommend it. Cheers!
Yeah, couldn't get my hand on this yet here in Europe. Fast sold out and costs close to a fortune.. What a PEATY it is not constantly easy available...
…groan. ;) I'm actually surprised that I was able to buy a bottle.
@@WhiskyRiffs @Whisky Riffs Yeah, guess in the States is even much more harder to get as in Europe. I really like the most of Ardbeg's core range, so to have a 19 years old Ardbeg constantly available as real core range (not in batches) would be wonderful! Then I may even would be willing to pay a higher price as I would for another 19 years old Scotch.
Taste more, talk less.
Thanks for watching, even if I talked more than you liked. Cheers!