Ardbeg is one of the 8 distilleries on the small island of Islay, Scotland. World renown for their heavily peated whisky, the 2016 special release Dark Cove takes a departure from the classic Ardbeg flavor. Don't get me wrong, it is still heavily peated but the whisky isn't dominated with the flavor of a peat like many other whiskies in their line. The name is in reference to their "dark and turbulent past" as they describe on their website, when smugglers used coves and caves around Ardbeg to hide their shipments. The whisky itself is very dark in color, a result of being aged in dark sherry casks after being aged in old bourbon casks which gives it a really nice and complex flavor. Priced around $100, it is a steal if you can get your hands on a bottle before the limited edition is gone!
Matt: Color: Deep gold Nose: The Ardbeg peat is there but not in that traditional smack you in the face Ardbeg way, smell of a nice campfire on a fall evening, the sherry cask influence is definitely there, notes of banana, toffee, raisins and bitter dark chocolate Palate: the peat of course hits first followed by a smokiness and sea salt, faint undertones of anise before ginger and dark chocolate and finally, black ink pasta(I saw this on the Ardbeg website and thought "yea right!" but its definitely there!) Finish: long, peppery, earthy, absolutely delightful! w/Water: the nose is sweeter, there is a faint aroma that reminds me of Christmas(maybe fruitcake?), the palate is now dominated by peat and sea salt (not a bad thing but just not as complex) Rating: 91/90(w/water) Jim: Color: Dark golden Nose: orange and fruit that transcends the peatiness and smoke. Hint of chocolate and dried fruit(cherries, raisins...banana? Okay, maybe) Palate: It's hot with campfire and smoke. Salty and it's heat almost of a hot pepper and flavorful like ginger. Finish: Long and flavorful. The campfire eventually dissipates and you're left with sweet toffee and fig notes. w/water: Holy vanishing smoke, Batman! Tears the smoke away. Leaves candied fruit and nuts. Kills the palate of anything unique and shortens the finish. Either way it's still very good but I would have to request this one neat. Rating: 93/90(w/water)
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