Ardbeg Blaaack

The time came to open up one of the Ardbeg Day releases I picked up, and I figured, why not do them all and post them on Ardbeg Day. Shortly after that it was clear Ardbeg Day would be something one would have to enjoy from home so it seemed even better to be able to share my thoughts about them with everyone who can’t have a dram of one of these releases today. I was disappointed I wouldn’t be able to include Blaaack in that group since I didn’t expect to be able to get my hands on a bottle before June – not only to have the complete collection of reviews in one batch but also because of how much I was looking forward to a wine matured Ardbeg – but on a trip to finally grab a bottle of the Cairdeas Triple Wood they just so happened to have one (not too bad of a trip, huh?). So without further ado, the 2020 Ardbeg Day release:

Ardbeg Blaaack, Islay Single Malt, 46% ABV

Minutia: Matured for some duration of time in pinot noir casks from New Zealand. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Tawny russet muscat, 1.3.5.

Nose: Vegetal peat, dry, fruit, wood, meat.

Taste: Dry, peaty malt. Minerally. Tiny bit of heat but barely.

Finish: Long. Bit of ash, moreso smoke but ashy. Dry.

This is not a revelation, but it’s good. The trend of me enjoying peat, wine casks, and both together continues. Definitely one I’m keen on trying the Committee Release of.

Score: 89