Name: Ardbeg An Oa
Color: Brown gold
Nose: Malt, peat, wood, earthy, medium iodine
Taste: Malt, smokey peat, light oak, seagrass
Ardbeg is a Highland scotch from the Islay region in Scotland that I like to put into a category I call “Big Boy Scotch”. Ardbeg is considered by some people in the whisky world to be the peatiest of all the scotches. I can think of a few other scotches out there that can compete for that title but with heavily peated scotch is truly a matter of individual taste. The name “Ardbeg” is Scottish Gaelic for a “small promontory”. A promontory is defined as “a point of high land that juts out into a large body of water”.
Ardbeg “An Oa” is named after the cliffs (The Oa) that protect the southwest portion of Islay. The whisky is aged in sherry casks and virgin oak, is non-chilled filtered, and bottled at 46.6% abv.
An Oa is smoother and better tasting than the 10-Year-Old and has a richer flavor profile than of the Wee Beastie expression. The taste is heavier and more complex but well balanced. is a little warm on finish with a spicy finish. The richer taste seems to come from the choices to age the whisky.
Ardbeg whisky is a solid performer but be aware their expressions really vary in taste and price so I recommend getting sampler packs or trying in bars before you commit to a full bottle.
Priced around $65 and worth the money if you like the flavor profile.
If you like it, drink it! – Christopher
If you like it, drink it!
