Past batch
The range
Ar9
Limited Edition
A single first-fill oloroso-sherry hogshead bottled in 2017 for the Islay Festival. Dark chocolate intertwines with rich espresso notes and luxurious dried fruit, while layers of dense smoke finish off this intensely satisfying Ardbeg expression.
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Core Flavour
Rich espresso -
Cask details
Distillate from the early 2000s matured in a first-fill oloroso-sherry hogshead -
Strength
51.6% -
Distillery
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Distillery status
OPEN -
Approved by
Tasting notes
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Nose
Densely packed with blackcurrant concentrate and an underlying note of grilled mackerel skins adding a savoury note. Black cherry mingles with fresh coffee beans, building to become thick and dark like roasted game – venison or wild boar with a dark, sticky red-wine source. -
Palate
Old-fashioned cough medicine and dark fruit lozenges at first. The mouthfeel is thick and heavy, reminiscent of a rich porter. Beautiful bitter chocolate and espresso blend with macadamia nuts and dark treacle. The smoke is herbaceous and rich. -
Finish
The dense texture shows walnut skins and a salty tang lingering on the palate, with thick medicinal smoke coating the sides of your tongue.
Flavour
- Espresso
- Dark Chocolate
- Cherry
- Macadamia Nuts
- Smoke