Ardbeg An Oa is uniquely rounded, due in large part to the time it has spent in its newly created oak Gathering Vat, where whiskies from various cask types - including sweet Pedro Ximénez, spicy virgin charred oak and intense ex-bourbon casks, among others - become familiar with each other.
The result is a dram with a smoky potency, softened by a deliciously smooth sweetness.
Ardbeg's distinctive peat, dark chocolate and anise wrap around silky smooth caramel, black pepper and clove, before reaching an intense crescendo of flavour.
Unchill filtered and 46.6% ABV.
Technical Details
Cask
Charred American Oak Barrels, American ex-Bourbon casks, Spanish ex-Pedro Ximenez casks
Tasting Notes
Color: Light Gold
Aroma: Rounded and smoky - like burning Applewood - with creamy toffee, aniseed, treacle and dates. A curious suggestion of juicy fruits, such as peach and banana. With a drop of water, reminders of Ardbeg’s classic fragrance – lime, pine resin, fennel, saddle soap and tar. A gentle waxiness, like fragrant candle wax, and hints of smoked herbs. An Oa gives a final subtle reminder of the sea with briny notes and seaweed but always accompanied with creaminess.
Taste: A smooth, creamy texture leads into a huge syrupy sweetness, flavours of milk chocolate, treacle toffee, aniseed, orange and smoky tea leaves. Gentle, sweet spices (nutmeg & cinnamon), some cigar smoke, and a very unusual flavour of grilled artichokes. Wood is always present in the spirit, gently nutty and reminiscent of a carpenter’s workshop. A long, sweet finish, with floral overtones, mint toffee and some gentle malty biscuit notes.
Since
Tuesday 21 December, 2021
