A couple of Ardbegs

There is no getting around it -- Ardbeg is not for the faint of heart. It is a very rewarding drink, however. I have spent some quality time with a couple of Ardbegs recently -- the Ardbeg Still Young (an eight year old) and the Airigh nam beist from 1990.

First the Still Young: It has a light straw color, but a truly powerful, yet soft nose. It is bottled at 56% abv, so one must be careful, but the trademark Ardbeg notes are there. Sea air, straw, and some burnt sugar. It has a sweet peatyness on the tongue. With water some floral notes come out, and a little seaweed (but nothing like Laphroiag). Even with water, it has nicotine spice when I drink it. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but shows that a young whiskey can be a great whiskey.

The Airigh (which means Valley of the Beast, and is apparently a 16 year old) is also a light golden straw color, but less smokey than some other Arbeg's (such as the fantastic Uigeadail). There are plenty of sweet, flowery notes overlying some real heft. It has a "thick" nose to it -- it just smells like a substantial dram, in a good way. The mouth feel is full and coating, with some bite and spice.

Both are wonderful drams, and worth the effort to seek them out.