Ardbeg Scorch, Committee Release 2021

ABV

51.7%

Region

Islay

Bottling

Distillery

Cask type

Ex-Bourbon and Dragon Charred Casks

Nose

The nose starts with aromas of peat smoke and sooty chimney air. Behind this, a fresh orange note appears, along with aniseed and caramel notes. In the background, soot, iodine and BBQ notes, along with a touch of pepper. Relatively complex and very pleasant. The alcohol isn't pungent at all.

Palate

Surprisingly sweet on the palate with a lovely vanilla note, creamy caramel and orange fruit. Parallel to this, warming peat smoke emerges with some pepper, liquorice, herbs and sooty ash notes. Noticeably oily and multi-layered on the palate. There is hardly any alcoholic spiciness.

Finish

The finish is long and oily with creamy vanilla and sweet smoke. Towards the end tarry with ash and a hint of menthol.

With water

After adding a few drops of water more smoke on the nose with ash notes, liquorice and soot. The sweet flavours are somewhat pushed into the background. On the palate, however, still sweet with vanilla and caramel, but also clearly spicier and less oily with notes of pepper, smoke, ash and a touch of menthol. Less warming as well. The finish is still long with vanilla, liquorice, menthol, smoke and some tar.

Comments

An Ardbeg that I personally like very much. The surprising creamy sweetness harmonises nicely with the smoky notes and ash/soot. Very rich and complex on the nose as well as on the palate. The alcohol is wonderfully integrated, so there is no need to add water. Something for the cold spring evenings.

I thank Moët Hennessy Germany for the complimentary sample and the image!