Country – Region: Scotland – Islay
Distillery: Ardbeg
Type: Single Malt
Age: NAS
Cask: New Zealand Pinot Noir
ABV: 46%
Proof: 92
Price: $145

Nose:Beeswax, caramel, heather, malty, sweet peat, sea breeze, damp wood, plums

Palate: Creamy,caramel bar,ginger dryness, cherries, stone fruits, spicy smoke ends with mocha.

Finish: Long, cinnamon, Lapsang souchong, black pepper, ash, red peppers and dark chocolate.

After Ardbeg Wee Beastie,I am here with a new limited edition Ardbeg bottling which marks a special occasion for the Islay distillery. Ardbeg Blaaack is one of the two bottles that Ardbeg released to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Ardbeg Committee.

To check my review on Ardbeg Blaaack Committee Release 50.7%, please click!

Committee bottles are released in two different alcohol levels. This one, the 'Limited Edition' is at 46% abv. As this bottle hit at the market, I was able to get a bottle and tasted it immediately side by side.

So what is special about this particular dram? Ardbeg went all the way to New Zealand to acquire Pinot Noir wine barrels! And let's don't forget that, sheep population in New Zealand outnumbers human population by 7:1.

I am quite surprised with the dark flavors I received. Flavors like, dark chocolate, Lapsang souchong, caramel  blending with fruity aromas of cherries, stone fruits in a good way. When compared to other wine barrel matured or finished whiskies, I feel that maturation impacted in a balanced way.

I only found some thin texture on the palate which I didn’t enjoy that much.

After some years, I am impressed with the 46% release which made me really happy and hopeful for the upcoming years.