Ardbeg (10 year)

I'm a fairly new scotch drinker, however, I tried about 8 different brands: staring with the Glenlivet 12, Balvini 12, McCallan 12 years old.....etc, and worked my way up to more smoky and peaty scotch such as Lagavulin 16 years old. I settled on Lagavulin because it was by far the smoothest of them all and had this unique smoky / peaty flavor that others lacked. Anyway, I read the reviews on Ardbeg 10 years old and decided to give it a shot. It's smoky and peaty qualities come close to Lagavulin's, however, what I did not like about Ardbeg 10, it lacked smoothness and did not have that wonderful after taste Lagavulin possesses. I believe the aging process is the key (for the most part) for smooth scotch. It's good scotch, but if you are looking for overall indulging experience, you can't go wrong with a bottle of Lagavulin 16 years old.

Believe the hype! i too am forever ruined now that I finally got to try the Ardbeg. This is easily the best whiskey I've ever had. The reason it's so nice is that it meets the balance between strong and smooth perfectly! First taste is very powerful smoke/peat then, right when you think it's going to bite, it backs off into such a silky-smooth experience. It's simply mind blowing. This stuff is magical. I'm glad I can't afford it all the time as I like it a bit too much.

Having recently been sampling Islay Scotches: Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, I found the Ardbeg to be quite smooth and not overpowering at all, especially for a ten year old peat. It has good legs and texture, a good amount of peat and little or no bite. All three are terrific depending on your taste, but Arlbeg is the "cleanest". Lagavulin is more complex with longer finish, but also more alcohol in the nose. Laphroaig is a man's Islay, a barrage of peat and iodine you will not forget, and probably the most fun of the Islays.

After having good friends speaking about the best of the whiskies and some other fabulous spirits, I gave it a try and bought myself some of the better whiskies etc. I bought myself in a period of two months : Ardbeg 10 years 46%, Laphroaig 10 y 40%, Glenfiddich 12 Y 40%, Johnnie Walker Black Label 12Y 40% (blended), Jack Daniels n°7 sour mash charcoal mellowed tennessee whiskey, Remy Martin VSOP Cognac 40% and Père Magloire 12y 40% Calvados.Before giving a taste of it to my friends a tried them myself by pouring a little glas of each of them, smelling it and drinking them slowly.  What is my conclusion ? Or I have to stop doing this because none of them I really like or I have to learn drinking spirits.About the taste, the Glenfiddich and the Jack Daniels were the easiest to drink for me, the Ardbeg and the Laphroaig have something that I think it is not for beginners ( me included). My rating  is for the Ardbeg  4 stars because it is a quality product, not 5 because I give this to no... Read more

Ardbeg, as the peatiest offering from the Isle of Islay, and therefore the world, has to be the best 10 year bottle on the market. The smokey phenolic tone somehow doesn't overpower the delightful symphony under the surface: spice, dates, ocean brine, syrup, all sorts of interesting notes. While I prefer the Ardbeg Uigeadail (sp?) to the 10 year by a hair, this bottle has a permanent place on the shelf. If you're not into peaty malts yet, you might want to start with Oban or Caol Ila. But this is worth working up to. You might even try drinking Ardbeg over several nights, and seeing how as your palate adjusts, new flavors pop up.

For several years now I've been a Laphraoig (10 year & Cask) drinker I've always loved how the heavy peat & smoke consumes my pallet then leaves me with a nice long brine finish. Good/Bad is I can usually only appreciate the intensity of the flavors for about one glass. I bought my first bottle of Ardbeg last weekend and found it to have many of the same characteristics yet was a bit less harsh & generally more rounded. The transition from that harsh smoke to the brined finish was subtle and sustained. Ardbeg is a wonderfully drinkable Scotch that doesn't overpower you... I can (& did) drink this all night and enjoyed EVERY sip. The flavors really explode with a splash of spring water. It's wonderful. Caution: 5am comes quickly with Ardbeg & a good friend.

Just got it and absolutely love it.  Very light with a touch of sweet and is full-bodied with a nice smokey roundness.   Very different than other Islay's I've had.

I have been a Laphroaig and Lagavulin fan for years, both single malt Islay's. Generally at the bar I enjoy a Laphroaig with one of my favorite smokes because the lingering finish goes well with a stinky, full-bodied cigar. On occasion I'll have the Lagavulin because I want the stonger flavor; not for proper cigar mating, mind you, but because I want the flavor. Today, my girlfriend had bought me my first, of many to be sure, bottle of Ardbeg. Sure, it's only the 10 yr, but I tasted something great in that first simple, full, smoky, well-rounded and perfect scotch. Yes, for the money, you simply cannot find a better scotch. I first had Glenlivet, then Glenfiddich, Morangie, Walker, Du- this and Glen- that, even my American-made excuses for scotch - which are only blended bourbons that are too sweet - and various other blasphemies that make up a blended "scotch". Oh I am ruined forever, of that much I am certain. The robust flavor of my loved Lagavulin is delicately paired... Read more

Unlike any other scotch I've tasted. Tasted like a peppery glass of ocean water. Smokey. Salty. Highly recommended.

Unbelievable flavor! Good peat essence with a finishing warmth second to none.

The only drawback to drinking Ardbeg is that it ruins you for any other scotch. I had tried single malts but always preferred Johnnie walker black for its woodsy and light smokey character. I had longed waited to try a Johnnie Walker blue and one night after years I had the chance. The only trouble was that earlier that evening I tried an Ardbeg 10 year old scotch. You will never be able to appreciate what a scotch can taste like until you have an ardbeg. This scotch has a signature aroma, taste and lasting finish that will forever linger in your mind. I had the taste of peat in my mouth and sinuses for hours. Later that night we tried a Johnnie Walker blue. I anticipated this moment for all that I had heard and how I had loved the black. Guess what. Nothing. It was wasted on me because the Ardbeg raised the bar so high that no other scotch would be able to do it. This is the best, peatiest,smoothest scotch out there. Have it neat and then try it with a dash of water to help bring out ... Read more

You gotta be ready for this Islay. It blows off the top of your head--great! WARNING: NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!

Probably the best whisky in the world!!!

Not for the faint of heart. Big smooth peat monster, but it's about the only one I don't mind having in a blizzard on a ski lift. Guaranteed to keep you warm. Good burn.

The ultimate single malt! Pure smoke yet subtle.