Last year for Ardbeg Day I reviewed all of them through the release for that year, Blaaack. Unfortunately I hadn’t been lucky enough to find the Committee Releases so those reviews were all of the standard 46% release (except the ones that didn’t get two versions). Since then I’ve acquired a couple samples of CR bottles, as well as managed to find a bottle of one, so this year I’m going to review those (with side by side notes with the 46% version), the Committee Release from earlier this year - Arrrrrrrdbeg!, and my Ardbeg Day solera bottle (equal parts of each release from Alligator forward, this year’s review going up through Blaaack with a year marrying in the bottle). Anyway, here’s the review of the CR of Grooves.
Ardbeg Grooves Committee Release, Islay Single Malt, 51.6% ABV
Minutia: Matured mostly in ex-bourbon casks, with some matured in red wine casks which had been toasted giving the inside “grooves”, and bottled in 2018. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.
Color: Tawny, 1.4.
Nose: Sweet smoke, leather. Strong, rich, earthy smoke. The standard release is less deep by a lot, with the smoke having a ‘brighter’ quality.
Taste: Earthy, vegetal, oaky. Standard release is lighter, with a bit of bright fruit.
Finish: Leathery smoke, spiced wine. Long. The finish on the standard release is similar but mustier, and not as deep.
Really glad I got to try this one. Stands out much more than the standard release I managed to get a bottle of, and makes me hope I come across one of these somehow.
Score: 91
Musical Evocation: In the Valley Below – “Hymnal”
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