Ardbeg 10 Years

Ardbeg is revered around the world as the peatiest, smokiest, most complex whisky of them all. Yet it does not flaunt the peat; rather it gives way to the malt, the natural sweetness of which subtly intrudes and produces perfect balance.

The core expression of the Ardbeg portfolio is Ardbeg Ten Years Old. Launched in 2000, it was an instant hit with connoisseurs and peat-aficionados the world over and has retained its place at the top table ever since.

“Explosive, exuberant and tumultuous”

46% ALC/VOL
​Non chill-filtered

TASTING NOTES

Colour
Light gold

Aroma
A burst of intense smoky fruit escapes into the atmosphere – peat infused with zesty lemon and lime, wrapped in waxy dark chocolate. Bold menthol and black pepper slice through the sweet smoke followed by tarry ropes and graphite. As you dip your nose in further, savour the aroma of smoked fish and crispy bacon alongside green bell peppers, baked pineapple and pear juice.

Add water and breathe in the vortex of aromas rising from the glass. An oceanic minerality brings a breath of cool, briny seaspray on chalky cliffs. Waxed lemon and lime follows with coal tar soap, beeswax and herby pine woodlands.
​Toasted vanilla and sizzling cinnamon simmer in the background with warm hazelnut and almond toffee.

Taste
An explosion of crackling peat sets off millions of flavour explosions on the tongue: peat effervesces with tangy lemon and lime juice, black pepper pops with sizzling cinnamon-spiced toffee. This is followed by a wave of brine infused with smooth buttermilk, ripe bananas and currants. Smoke gradually wells up on the palate bringing a mouthful of warm creamy cappuccino and toasted marshmallows. As the taste lengthens and deepens, dry espresso, liquorice root and tarry smoke develop coating the palate with chewy peat oils.

Finish
The finish goes on and on – long and smoky with tarry espresso, aniseed, toasted almonds and traces of soft barley and fresh pear.

AWARDS

Jim Murray World Whisky of the Year - 2008