(한국어 시음기 밑에 있어요!)
The first single malt that I ever bought; Ardbeg 10 was, in many ways, my gateway back into a world that had almost been closed off to me ever twenty years prior by a bad blended Scotch. I'm actually a little bit shocked that I waited so long to do this review. But as it's Ardbeg daytoday, I figured that now is as good of a time as any to jot down my thoughts on this complex maestro of Islay.
The Ardbeg 10 is of course the flagship whisky of the Ardbeg distillery and is aged for at least 10 years in ex-bourbon casks. While it's no longer considered their best due to an expansion of their main line with a new 5 year old release and three NAS entries, two of which are truly phenomenal; it is indeed a timeless classic and was my go-to whenever I wanted a wee dram of something peaty and satisfying on the palate.
Vitals:
ABV: 46%
Colour: Pale straw.
Chill-filtered: No.
Nose: Lots of peat smoke up front, with notes of dark chocolate and lemons forming the core of the aroma. There's a minuscule touch of anti-septic iodine behind it, but it's relatively tame for an Islay. Following on from this, notes of sea brine and smoked haddock begin to coalesce and then transform into a classic campfire bonanza of well-done streaky bacon, charred bananas and a dollop of vanilla ice cream with ground coffee sprinkled over it. 21/25
Palate: Spicy black pepper hits the tongue and clings on for a while thanks to the oily mouthfeel, but as it slowly dissipates, salt and a splash of sweet caramel sauce appear, followed by fruity baked peaches,apples and chocolate covered bananas. Just as these fruity notes begin to dance around the palate, the smoke from the nose appears again and gradually builds up, adding notes of ash, rubber and then eventually gasoline into the fruity mix. 19/25
Finish: A supernova of intense smokiness at its climax, but quickly sheds those layers of peat and leaves behind long and lingering notes of smoked apples, steamed ham and butterscotch cookies. 22/25
Value*: As much as I like the Ardbeg 10, this is one of the more expensive mainstream 10 year old whiskies in South Korea. Macallan 12 is cheaper. Let that sink in. 10/25
Conclusion:
Despite being one of the most intensely peated whiskies outside of Bruichladdich's premium Octomore line-up, the Ardbeg 10 is one of the more accessible whiskies for those looking to get into peated whisky.
Why do I say that though? Well, initially it's quite fruity on the palate, with little presence of smoke, but the smoke gradually builds, leaving you feeling like you have just worked your with through an entire case of cigars by the time your glass is empty. What I'm trying to say is that it doesn't blow you away with the smoke at first, but by the time you have finished, you get to have experienced the true power of an Islay Single malt. It eases you in and let's you adjust to the rising smoke so that you are somewhat ready when it hits at the end. It's just one of those whiskies that you cannot go wrong with.
Basic Rating: 82.7%
Price Adjusted Rating*: 72%
Daily Drinker: Yes.
Possible pairing: Salted chocolate, citrus infused chocolate, seafood.
Where to find in Korea: Jura Shop, Namdaemun Market, Wine & More
TLDR Version:
N: Peat smoke, dark chocolate, lemons, a little iodine → sea brine, smoked fish → campfire, bacon, charred bananas, vanilla ice cream, ground coffee.
P: Spicy black pepper → salt, caramel sauce → baked peaches, apples, chocolate covered bananas, slowly rising smoke → ash, gasoline, rubber.
F: Intensely smoky, but fades, leaving smoked apples, steamed ham and butterscotch cookies. Long and lingering.
V: More expensive than most other entry level single malts, even Macallan!
C: A very good Islay whisky that gives you some time to adjust before it hits you with the peat smoke.
한국어 시음평:
N: 피트한 스모크 향, 다크 초콜릿, 레몬, 약간의 요오드 → 바다 소금물, 훈제 생선 → 모닥불, 베이컨, 잘 구운 바나나, 바닐라 아이스크림, 커피분말
P : 매운 후추 → 소금, 캬라멜 소스 → 구운 복숭아, 사과, 초콜릿으로 덮인 바나나, 스모크 → 재, 가솔린, 고무.
F: 강렬한 스모크 향이 나지만 금방 사라져요. 훈제 사과, 찜 햄, 버터 스카치 쿠키. 피니쉬가 매우 길어요.
V : 멕켈란 12보다 비싸요!
C: 스모키함이 천천히 올라오는 좋은 위스키이에요.
Buy / Mooch / Pass: Buy
Review by Glasgowhisky
2020/05/30
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