Bravo! Bra - Fucking - Vo!
Finally someone North of Hadrian's Wall has decided to "grow a pair" and just be honest and transparent about selling a young whisky. Usual marketing tactic is to put no age statement, create a weak back story and slap on an unpronounceable Gaelic name for the younger stuff. I am extra delighted that it is a distillery I happen like a lot. In fact I am a little reluctant to post the review because it is not my favorite Ardbeg... and I really don't want to say anything negative. The nose is smoky bbq with orange peel and even floral notes. The taste is creamy at first with barley sugar, black tea and more bitter, slightly burnt, orange peel. The finish is peppery, smoky with more strong tea tannins and yes there are some grainy (ie young) spirit notes. Not super complex but balanced, flavorful and pretty punchy. Lives up to the name.
