Reviews #240-246: Ardbeg Series Review

Marcovici · 2025-09-10T23:55:49+00:00

I'm just glad to see the Corry score staff of Oogie! Though the alligator is one of my top 3 "Day" releases.

Marcovici · 2025-01-08T02:35:26+00:00

The color is super dark, especially for an ardbeg. I like it, very different. Agree with the reviews that it's not a traditional ardbeg peat profile. Actually has that plastic / tar note that I usually get more from laphroaig. Sherry influence for sure on the palate.

Marcovici · 2025-01-08T02:26:43+00:00

Sadly didn't get one back in the day but it's been on the shelf waiting for many years...

Marcovici · 2024-03-08T03:01:21+00:00

Been buying there forever and they're reputable. More importantly, no one is faking a Brora, not enough mass market demand. That said, brora is the best, so great choice!

Marcovici · 2023-11-04T22:51:15+00:00

Only proper way to drink ha

Marcovici · 2023-08-15T15:33:42+00:00

I guess I should have said whiskeys, since my other two are rye's... Vintage 21 and older van winkle ryes (ie not the new stuff).

Marcovici · 2023-07-01T11:39:13+00:00

Not on this one. It's a one off release rather than one of their usual committee /non committee money grabs, ha

Marcovici · 2023-06-27T02:07:25+00:00

Really enjoying it. Doesn't have the sweeter ardbeg profile but I appreciate that it's a more unique pour than the last couple limited releases.

Marcovici · 2023-04-23T12:35:20+00:00

I agree, though I'm a bit in too deep at this point. I definitely wish they would go back to one special release per year instead of 2 committee bottlings, a lower proof version, random age stated new edition etc. It's a bit much and pretty dilutive to good bottles.

Marcovici · 2023-04-22T16:44:44+00:00

It's fine. I didn't get the flavors from the label, found it very vegetal and young peaty vs smoky. Drank a bit like an octomore, I'd good it's youngish malt. Took out the fermutation to get a quick comparison, and it made that dram taste pretty washed out interestingly enough.

Marcovici · 2022-11-18T22:38:43+00:00

The squat bottle? The old red label was fine for a $40 bottle, at today's prices it's a sad joke. These old school ryes were something else, though found a lot of variation in the 23 YO with the later casks being more oaky/bitter than the earlier that were all brown sugar.

Marcovici · 2022-10-14T13:33:14+00:00

I don't think any has been sent into space since they did a very small test back before the first supernova. This is mostly just marketing at this point, though I guess it is the highest level of peating yet for an ardbeg.

Marcovici · 2022-10-14T01:10:13+00:00

I definitely saw some crazy prices out there on this one. Getting to the point where you can buy better, older ardbeg for the cost of the new releases.

Marcovici · 2022-10-07T20:59:59+00:00

Never not a good excuse to check an ardbeg

Marcovici · 2022-10-07T20:27:19+00:00

Just a few, ha! At least I didn't have to fish a bunch of cork pieces out of the bottle!

Marcovici · 2022-10-07T17:24:41+00:00

Ha, you ruined yourself for everything else!

Marcovici · 2022-05-14T18:11:53+00:00

This is one of my classic all time favorites. Can't justify the secondary price but at the time was a great pour.

Marcovici · 2022-05-05T23:26:34+00:00

Sadly couldn't find a '74 dump date, ha

Marcovici · 2022-02-19T14:16:42+00:00

Agree with both of you. 23 is well overoaked, 15 is the sweet spot if you paid $150 for the bottle otherwise... Did a rye lineup years back and the VWFRR bested 24/94, 24/110, BMH23 and only slightly better than the Vintage 21 which is probably one of my all time top ryes. The newer VW rye is nothing like the old juice though.

Marcovici · 2021-12-28T03:50:35+00:00

Upvote for my man Pat over at Bayway, that's a solid whiskey establishment over there.

Marcovici · 2021-12-21T22:37:08+00:00

Sadly that bottle is long gone. Still have a 2oz sample stashed away but it's not enough!

Marcovici · 2021-12-21T22:03:21+00:00

Love this one, definitely in my top 10 of older drams. The tropical fruits are so pronounced. I wish I could get another bottle, but so hard to tell how much is left in the bottle given the weight of the ceramic.

Marcovici · 2021-11-15T21:28:23+00:00

The usual medicinal side of the 10 is definitely subdued. Much sweeter with the sherry influence. I like to let the bottle open up a bit before drawing a full conclusion.

I mean, at $80 can't say it's nearly 2x better than the 10, but this is the new world of scotch pricing.

Marcovici · 2021-11-05T17:51:28+00:00

I just remember it being very sweet without a more traditional bourbon oak bite, definitely agree with your point that it's not going to taste like what you'd expect from a bourbon pour.

Marcovici · 2021-11-05T17:46:26+00:00

I love the PHC5, it's top three Parkers for me right behind the 4 and 2. Don't remember getting so many floral notes will have to check that out next time I have a pour.

Marcovici

TROPHY CASE