Ardbeg - Uigeadail Single Malt Scotch Whisky Islay (750ml)

WE
89
WA
95
WH
95

Price: $89.00

Producer Ardbeg
Country Scotland
Region Islay
Style Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Sku 1103360
Size 750ml

In 2009 Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible named Ardbeg Uigeadail ‘World Whisky of the Year’ – in praise of its “utter silky brilliance” and “complexity on a level only a handful of distilleries in the world can even dream of reaching.”

Ardbeg Uigeadail (pronounced ‘Oog-a-dal’) is a special vatting that marries Ardbeg’s traditional deep smoky notes with luscious raisiny tones of old ex-Sherry casks. It's non chill-filtered at high strength which retains maximum flavour and gives more body and added depth.

The initial experience on the nose presents as rich and weighty with heady and smoky aromatics this expression of Ardbeg is both intensely flavoured and perfectly integrated. At full strength the aroma is a beguiling mix of warm Christmas cake walnut oil and parma violets fused with fresh ocean spice cedar and pine needles falling from the Christmas tree. On the palate the Uigedail is full flavoured and rich with a deep mouth-coating texture. The taste is an intriguing balance between sweet spicy and deep smoky flavours. The finish is amazingly long and chewy with lingering raisiny deep mocha tones and rich aromatic smoke into the perfectly integrated finish."

Wine Hog: 95 Points

With the Ardbeg 17 year old off the market, it’s nice to see a new Ardbeg in the line-up. Uigeadail costs about the same as the Ardbeg 17 did but, with Uigeadail, you’re getting a much more interesting whisky. Uigeadail consists of a marriage of younger whisky (from 1990 and 1993) with much older whisky matured in sherry casks. The marriage works exceptionally well, with the younger whiskies providing the classic Ardbeg intensity many of us have come to expect, while the older whiskies contribute depth, maturity, and complexity. And bottling the whisky at cask-strength without chill-filtration ensures that none of the flavors are stripped out. This is an incredibly complex Islay whisky, with its bonfire smoke, brine, and peppered olive notes balanced by a taming sweetness of vanilla, marshmallow, and toffee. Interwoven notes of candied fruit and sugared almonds round out the palate. Incredibly long finish.

wh

Wine Advocate: 95 Points

"With the Ardbeg 17 year old off the market it?s nice to see a new Ardbeg in the line-up. Uigeadail costs about the same as the Ardbeg 17 did but with Uigeadail you?re getting a much more interesting whisky. Uigeadail consists of a marriage of younger whisky (from 1990 and 1993) with much older whisky matured in sherry casks. The marriage works exceptionally well with the younger whiskies providing the classic Ardbeg intensity many of us have come to expect while the older whiskies contribute depth maturity and complexity. And bottling the whisky at cask-strength without chill-filtration ensures that none of the flavors are stripped out. This is an incredibly complex Islay whisky with its bonfire smoke brine and peppered olive notes balanced by a taming sweetness of vanilla marshmallow and toffee. Interwoven notes of candied fruit and sugared almonds round out the palate. Incredibly long finish."

Wine Enthusiast: 89 Points

Dark amber color and brooding, smoky scent. Although intense peat is characteristic of Islay Scotches and Ardbeg in particular, here the smoke goes too far. It starts with lovely vanilla, brine and light smoke, but the peat party simply goes on far too long. Adding water softens the feel of this cask-strength Scotch, but does nothing to dampen the smoke. - K.N.