Distillery: Ardbeg
Region: Islay
Distilled: 1991
Age: 8
Cask type: Bourbon
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Some background:

 For many years it was owned by our friends at Allied Distillers. Criminally allowed to languish in obscurity. Islay's greatest distillery was even closed between 1981 and 1989. For several years we tried to persuade allied to sell it-they finally agreed-but sadly not to us. Why Allied never did anything with this outstanding distillery remains one of the Scotch Whisky industry's greatest enigmas. Thankfully now, sailing under competent captaincy, we will all see more of this full, mellow , yet heavily peated, aristocrat of a malt. Long Live Ardbeg!

Click on label to enlarge

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Tasting Note: Very young and very pale, the colour would lead you to think that flavour and structure would be lacking - but you'd be wrong. A real peat reek welcomes you. Bright and clean with a big heavy smoky palate. Great texture and a long salty finish. This is a wonderful example of Islay's greatest malt.