Ardbeg
Uigeadail
- 54.2
- 70cl
- Taste: 4
- Islay
The current Ardbeg distillery on Islay dates back to 1815 but there have been records of legal distilleries on the same site since 1794. Ardbeg was closed in the 1980’s when it belonged to Allied Domecq, who also owned Laphroaig. In 1990 they started to run the distillery for a few months each year to get filling for the blend Ballantines. In 1997 the distillery was sold to the Glenmorangie...
Read more
Read more
The current Ardbeg distillery on Islay dates back to 1815 but there have been records of legal distilleries on the same site since 1794. Ardbeg was closed in the 1980’s when it belonged to Allied Domecq, who also owned Laphroaig. In 1990 they started to run the distillery for a few months each year to get filling for the blend Ballantines. In 1997 the distillery was sold to the Glenmorangie Company who, after updating the distillery, fully reopened it the following year. Moet Hennessy brought the whole company in 2004, and built a new still house in 2019, which is now running to capacity of 2.1 million litres of alcohol per year.
Uigeadail (pronounced ‘Oog-a-dal’) is Gaelic for “a dark, mysterious place.” Named after the distillery’s water source, this whisky is a marriage of sweetness, spice and deep smokiness. The peat-laden waters of Loch Uigeadail provide the smoky tones in this whisky. While maturation in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks imparts rich, warm flavours – perfect for a dramatic, stormy night. But the secret behind Ardbeg Uigeadail's success is a unique vatting method. This method marries the deep, smoky notes from ex-Bourbon American Oak with the luscious, raisin-like character of ex-sherry Oloroso casks.
Official Tasting Notes
Aroma - Rich and weighty, with heady, smoky aromatics. The aroma presents a mix of warm Christmas cake, walnut oil, parma violets, fresh ocean spice, cedar, and pine needles. Moreover, a coal fire and well-oiled leather bring a layer of warmth. Treacle toffees and chocolate-coated raisins emerge. With water, the deep smokiness intensifies. Currants and warm banana and walnut bread, in addition to a simmering mocha espresso for a multifaceted experience.
Taste - Full-flavoured and rich, this whisky boasts a deep, mouth-coating texture that transition into a balance between sweet, spicy, and smoky flavours. Initially sweet, the taste takes a turn as a burst of winter spices sets off a smoky-spicy explosion. With honey-glazed smoked food and chewy treacle, smoky tones and rich aromas build up on the palate.
Finish - Long and chewy with lingering raisiny, deep mocha tones and rich aromatic smoke.
Uigeadail (pronounced ‘Oog-a-dal’) is Gaelic for “a dark, mysterious place.” Named after the distillery’s water source, this whisky is a marriage of sweetness, spice and deep smokiness. The peat-laden waters of Loch Uigeadail provide the smoky tones in this whisky. While maturation in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks imparts rich, warm flavours – perfect for a dramatic, stormy night. But the secret behind Ardbeg Uigeadail's success is a unique vatting method. This method marries the deep, smoky notes from ex-Bourbon American Oak with the luscious, raisin-like character of ex-sherry Oloroso casks.
Official Tasting Notes
Aroma - Rich and weighty, with heady, smoky aromatics. The aroma presents a mix of warm Christmas cake, walnut oil, parma violets, fresh ocean spice, cedar, and pine needles. Moreover, a coal fire and well-oiled leather bring a layer of warmth. Treacle toffees and chocolate-coated raisins emerge. With water, the deep smokiness intensifies. Currants and warm banana and walnut bread, in addition to a simmering mocha espresso for a multifaceted experience.
Taste - Full-flavoured and rich, this whisky boasts a deep, mouth-coating texture that transition into a balance between sweet, spicy, and smoky flavours. Initially sweet, the taste takes a turn as a burst of winter spices sets off a smoky-spicy explosion. With honey-glazed smoked food and chewy treacle, smoky tones and rich aromas build up on the palate.
Finish - Long and chewy with lingering raisiny, deep mocha tones and rich aromatic smoke.
Tasting Rating Guide
1: Light, good for beginners - an aperitif on a summers day, i.e. Glengoyne, Auchentoshan
2: Also good for beginners but with more depth and body - a little stronger than 1, ie. Glenmorangie, Speyburn
3: A dram for everyone, a little more complex so the palate requires a little more experience, i.e. Cragganmore, Macallan
4: A stronger spirit, a big whisky with lots of character and body, excellent after dinner, i.e. Lagavulin, Laphroaig