I’m not sure if this is supposed to be called The Ardbeg Ardbog, or just Ardbog. At least it’s this year’s Ardbeg Day bottling. They’ve picked up the Ardbeg Day idea a few years ago when they started to open Embassies everywhere in ridiculously placed locations.

In the Netherlands I know of one or two embassies that are located quite far from where I live so I’ve not participated in any event as of yet. More so because a whisky event and driving usually don’t combine very well.

Anyway, we were warned by Rob at De Whiskykoning that this was supposed to be a pretty vile whisky. Rob being rather descriptive/suggestive was talking about gulping sea water instead of whisky and such.

Ardbeg Ardbog. Image from Master of Malt

Sniff:
It’s rather full and rich with salt and sweetness together. There’s some sherry involved too but it’s not really sugary on the nose. Some dried fruits and some vanilla. Creme brulee even, and of course, quite some peat.

Sip:
The palate is a bit sharper than I expected, with some white pepper and a crisp flavour to it. The nose is rather representative so the sweet and salt is present here too. Not sure if this means anything, but I get a flavour I associate with the beams used to lay railroads on. Tarred wood.

Swallow:
The finish is sharp too, but has lots of flavour. Some alcohol pops up, with peat, tar and grass.

I have to say this is one of my favourite Ardbegs of the recent releases. I think the light sherry addition for sweetness and the very salty undertone combine really well for me. The tarry bit is nicely done too and for a change, it’s not overpowered by peat (Supernova) or grassiness (Rollercoaster) and it certainly chooses direction (contrary to the Alligator).

Nice stuff! I like it. And now I regret not buying one or two bottles.

Ardbeg Ardbog, Ardbeg Day 2013, 52.1%. Available in some shops, starting at € 149