Ardbeg An Oa
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
46.6% ABV

Nose: Old newspapers burning on a peat-fuelled bonfire; pencil shavings; dried seaweed; samphire; caramelised fennel fronds; Maldon sea salt; lemon peel; pink grapefruit zest; sugared almonds; Fry’s Chocolate Cream bar; orange oil; tobacco leaves; fresh ginger; and garish grounds of black pepper.

Palate: A pleasurable, palatable pounding of peat; Café Crème cigars; sherbet lemons; Waitrose treacle tart; Cadbury Crunchie bar; toasted granary bread smeared with Rose’s lime marmalade; cloves; paprika; black and pink peppercorns; Lapsang Souchong tea; charred oak; and the tiniest tease of something subtly menthol.

Finish: A fabulously feisty, smoky, and spiced long lunge-ette of a finish.

Summary: Ticking all those signature Ardbegian boxes, this latest release is noticeably younger than the brand’s epic 10 Year Old bottling (not in a bad way), making it a superbly sassy addition to the Ardbeg core range.