Ardbeg Special Releases: These boast a rabid fan base that exponentially increases in numbers and clambers over every special bottle that Ardbeg puts out with evangelistic fervour. Owned by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey and often considered the most Islay of all Islay whiskies; to love peated whisky is also to love Ardbeg. It is unapologetically rugged, heavily peated, briny and coastal. However, dig beneath its smoky exterior and you will find fruit and citrus put together with as much intention and craft as a luxury handbag or bottle of Champagne. Like a bearded hipster, Ardbeg contains a multitude of facets. Put it in a plaid shirt and it is just as ready to rough it out in the woods, go crazy at a metal concert, or grab a latte on the way to the office. Alternative: This is a tough one because their releases change in style with each new iteration, which is great since variety is the spice of life. However, many of their special releases are akin to Barbie dressed in this year’s latest fashion. Disclaimer: I only make this analogy because my daughter once wanted every new Barbie she could get her hands on. It has nothing to do with how much I enjoyed dressing her dolls up myself, I swear! What was my point? Oh yes… Ardbeg Day releases are all variations on a theme, and that theme is Ardbeg. So, aim for the core range. These bottles are (mostly) readily available and the quality tends to be top-notch - often eclipsing the flavour of the week limited release you can’t get. • Ardbeg 10 year old is one of the quintessential flagship bottles from any distillery, let alone Islay itself and don’t let the younger An Oa or Wee Beastie 5 year old scare you, it packs a hefty Ardbeg hello. • Islay alternatives that might scratch your peathead itch - Kilchoman Sanaig, Port Charlotte or Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dha. • Further would include the approachable Ledaig 10-Year- Old, Talisker Port Ruighe and releases from the newer but already impressive Isle of Arran Lagg Distillery. I won’t be offended if you disagree with some of these suggestions. Better yet, I hope you have your own FOMO alternatives that you seek out, purchase and preach to others. Seriously though, the thrill of the hunt for the elusive unicorns can be exciting at times, however, don’t let it limit your ability
to consider other unique bottles. Just remember that whisky is meant to be uncorked, shared and drank with the intent of making memories of the times it was experienced.
Plus: if you don’t open those special bottles, the ones I am hoarding will never increase in value.
Until next time, I remain… Evan – “former” unicorn chaser
30
the whisky explorer magazine
FALL 2023
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker