Two new releases from Islay’s Ardbeg — the newest Committee Launch, Anamorphic, and this yr’s annual drop of Traigh Bhan, Ardbeg’s ever-shifting 19 yr previous expression. Particulars about every observe in flip.
Ardbeg Anamorphic – The story with Anamorphic revolves round barrel charring. After eradicating the heads of basic Ardbeg bourbon casks, they have been scored deeply to reveal extra wooden after which intensely charred earlier than being crammed. Jack Daniel’s did an analogous trick with its Sinatra Choose bottlings. Does Ardbeg want extra wooden on it? The nostril of the non-age-stated whisky is each bit as darkish and smoky because the basic Ardbegs and love, providing a bruising aroma of burnt finish barbecue and dying seashore bonfire embers. It’s a bit daunting at first, beginning off as slightly one-note till you let it cool down in glass, revealing extra layers past pushy smoke. Let Anamorphic relaxation in glass for some time, lest you down sip after sip of charry, tarry peat, freed from nuance. After quarter-hour or so, fruit turns into far more evident, with parts of banana and baked apples, then a major chocolate high quality, ringed with walnuts. There’s loads of aggressive tar that lingers on the again finish, however for a lot of an Ardbeg fan, that’s simply what the nice physician ordered. All instructed, Anamorphic doesn’t precisely shift expectations for the model, however slightly it doubles down on them. 96.4 proof B+ / $210 [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]
Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 Years Previous Batch 5 (2023) – The newest Traigh Bhan is designed to be a sweeter model of the whisky, although it’s aged in each ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, very like Batch 4 was. “Candy” won’t be my most speedy tasting be aware, nevertheless. The nostril right here jogs my memory largely of smoky bacon and burning campfire embers, with no vital hint of candy sherry notes. As with Anamorphic, the spirit wants vital time to develop and mood, and certainly there’s a vibrant tropical high quality on the palate that surprises, melding pineapple with baked apple notes and a squeeze of Meyer lemon later within the recreation. The end is sort of tart, although in fact well-smoked, concluding on a light-weight be aware of brown sugar. It takes its time to get going, however finally finds strong footing. 92.4 proof. B+ / $300 [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY BARREL]
Ardbeg Anamorphic
$210
