Ardbeg Uigeadail - 54.2%
From the Ardbeg website:
Pronounced ‘Oog-a-dal’, it’s a special vatting that marries Ardbeg’s traditional deep, smoky notes with luscious, raisiny tones of old ex-Sherry casks. Ardbeg Uigeadail was voted by the 120,000+ strong Ardbeg Committee as their favourite Ardbeg.
Non chill-filtered at 54.2% ABV.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Copper gold, forms a thick line which falls as slow, thick legs.
Nose: Soft but slightly dirty phenolic peat, stewed blackberry and apple with caramel sauce, marzipan and a hint of sea breeze.
Palate: Coastal and smoky, like a beach bonfire made with driftwood. Smoked meats including a hint of Arbroath Smokies, caramel, charred lemon citrus, dark chocolate enrobed raisins, tannic oak astringency. A few drops of water bring out a little more sweetness.
Finish: Salted caramel toffee, mocha, sweet peat smoke and quite drying.
Summary: I’ve had Uigeadail on many occasions over the years and, whilst I’ve always enjoyed it, the whisky does seem to have changed in that time. Originally big on smoke and rich dried fruit, there seems to be less of a sherry cask influence with this latest bottling which allows more of the coastal notes to come through. It’s still an excellent, beautifully balanced whisky, it’s just different from the Uigeadails of the past.
Uigeadail can often be picked up for £55-£60, which for me is great value for money even for a ‘No Age Statement’ whisky. In recent years Ardbeg have made a habit of launching increasingly expensive limited editions which don’t come close to the quality of its core range bottlings. Other than for curiosity, collection, investment or ‘flipping’ purposes, I genuinely cannot see why anyone would choose these limited editions over the often superior and far less expensive Uigeadail or Corryvreckan expressions.
If you would like more information on this whisky, or the Ardbeg distillery, follow the link to the company website.
Transparency: No goods or other incentives were exchanged, offered or requested for this independent review.
