Ardbeg 10

One way to attract some readers to your blog, is to talk about this stuff.... ARDBEG!!!  Some whisky lovers out there, love Ardbeg so much, that they completely dedicate their entire whisky collection to this one distillery.  Over the years, Ardbeg has gained a cult following thanks to their world class whisky ( maybe some clever marketing and a little hype along the way too).  Collectors are currently spending thousands upon thousands of dollars at auctions, just to get their hands on rare vintage bottlings.  Right now in the whisky world,  Ardbeg is about as hip and trendy a whisky distillery can be.... they've become whisky's equivalent to Patron tequila.  Full marks to them though, because things weren't always so rosy for this Islay renaissance.  The distillery was established way back in 1815, but for most of it's history, Ardbeg produced whisky for use in blends.  Production over the years eventually slowed down, and Ardbeg was forced to close it's doors in 1981.  That is, until they reopened in 1991 when another well known distillery, Glenmorangie purchased it, believing that there was the possibility of some kind of revival in the cards for the old lady.  Full production resumed in 1998, and since then, Ardbeg has been steam rolling in popularity at a pace i'm sure they couldn't have even expected.

Right now, Ardbeg offers many popular bottlings such as "Supernova" / "Blasda" / "Corryvrecken" / "Uigeadal"/ "Rollercoaster" and finally " Ten".  This ten year old peated whisky truly is a great one, and it's such a shame, there is such a shortage of Ardbeg when it comes to liquor stores here in Ontario Canada.

Even when you find that ever elusive bottle of "TEN" (the only bottling available in Ontario),  it's going to cost you just under $100!  I find it hard to believe that one of the largest alcohol buyers in the world ( the liquor control board of Ontario) (LCBO), couldn't do a little better on the price, considering the rest of the world is getting the same whisky (while offering more variety of bottlings) for on average 25% cheaper.

I promised myself I wouldn't rant about the LCBO, so I'll just continue, and give the people what they want..... a review on the ever popular, ever so sexy,  Ardbeg 10.  By the way, don't be shy.... post some comments on the blog of your Ardbeg 10 tasting as well.

Appearance:  Very pale honey colour

Body:  Medium - Full bodied /  nice oily legs

Nose:  Uhhh..... Peat and more peat  /  Warm smoke / Pepper / Medicinal

Palate:  Smokey Peat / Burning wood / Sea salt / Freshly cut grass

Finish: Long / Peat smoke/ Warm / Dry

8.5/10

This is the whisky I automatically think of when I hear Islay.    Ardbeg 10

Johnnie Walker Black Label

I know..... by this point I've already left you malt fanatics up in arms by this one photo.  How dare he!! A blend??  He wouldn't!!!  He couldn't!!!!  GASP!!!!  Now don't get your knickers in a bunch.  Yes, I'm going to distract myself for a minute to review one of my favorites. Yes I said it..... Even though my heart belongs to the single malts from Speyside, Islay, the Highlands and so on, I feel compelled to review this blended whisky, which I feel gets no love amongst malt heads.  Johnnie Walker Black Label, in my opinion, is the very best blended scotch whisky on the market, no matter the price range.  The fact that one could easily find one of these bottles at their local liquor store for about $40, doesn't hurt either.  For those of you who don't know, Johnnie Walker Black Label is a blended whisky made up of grain whisky and single malt whiskies from across Scotland.  In total, about 40 different malts, including Caol Ila from Islay.  When it comes to single malts, everyone knows I love my Islay malts, and that for me, is what comes through first when sipping this whisky.  However, having said that, Johnnie Walker Black to me, is one of the most balanced whiskies I've tasted.  It has the smoke and hints of peat that you'd expect from an Islay malt, but also the sweetness,fruit and smoothness you'd expect from your favorite Speyside.  Not every one will have the appreciation for a fine single malt whisky, no matter how hard you try. So in saying that, just pour 'em some really good scotch...  pour them Black Label, because you know, deep down, you really like it too.  Let me refresh your memory and give you some of my tasting notes.

Appearance:  AMBER.  Most definitely some caramel added for colour

Nose:  Leather  /  Dried fruits  /  Caramel  / Peat  /  Smoke  / Almonds

Body:  Oily with nice thick legs

Palate:  Smooth vanilla cream  /  Black pepper /  Roasted nuts /  Orange peels  /  Ginger

Finish:  Warm grab of the tongue with a medium-long length /  Smooth Smokiness

7/10
A great blended whisky plain and simple!  I think I'll have another.