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Unchillfiltered and at 46% for extra flavour and impact.

This is a great fullsome peaty and seaweedy typically Islay malt with a good level of complexity.

One of our best sellers. Ace.

Look out for the last in the 'Silly' series in Summer 2008 and then the new 10yo release shortly after.

Flavour Map Ref: A10
Light / Smoky

[Blind tasting note from RJ during the SFWC:

Dull peat, some ester and solvent, water lifts the peat to level 11, heavy metal peat lacking subtlety but very impressive! After all we're all head-bangers Score 8/10]

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Another ace from Ardbeg. A 'cask' strength offering of 10yo with older sherry-matured ages.

But for a slight whiff of feints in the nose, this is a dram with good, heavy levels of peat throughout the session. There is restrained sherry notes and plenty of salty ginger.

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NOW £24.90 inc vat

I'm looking forward to trying this, Ardmore (when good) has the most authentic peatiness of any mainland distillery but can be variable, this, the first OB bottling we have seen on general release, is the first new release from it's new owners (Jas.) Beam Global who won Ardmore with their acquisition of Teacher's (and Laphroaig).

It says; 'Non-chill filtered. Matured for a final period in 19th Century style "Quarter Casks".

Now I've sold a bottle and pursuaded the buyer to give me a taste...

It's as good as I had hoped, there is slight smoke from a tarry base, then fruit, suspect shellfish and cleaning solution (carbolic? no). To taste I've got 'good, very good. Warming peat and smouldering fire. A hot swallow with a long sweet and fruity smokey finish, excelent.'

Best neat, it's an ace.

On the Malt Whisky Flavour Map we reckon this belongs in square: E8
Complex / Light / Smoky

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Not a typical Islay but very much an Atlantic malt, plenty of fresh, sweet, sea-air character with a nutty, herbal undercurrent. Very popular in pubs in our area.

Flavour Map Ref: G2
Rich / Delicate

[Blind tasting note from RJ during the SFWC:

Darkish with big legs. Sweet vanilla and caramel, some peat and spice. Wouldn't have any difficulty selling this, liquorice, aniseed, bananas and aldehides. Very short finish. However water kills it dead! Not a nice finish at all. Best drunk neat. Score 7.5/10]

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The first time I had Caol Ila was at the distillery, (long ago), I then drove back across the island, abandoned the hire car and then cycled 12 miles back to Bowmore. After the first pint (at the Lochside), I returned to the bar for another and could still taste the Caol Ila!

Oily, Islay with a very long finish!

This new bottling is most similar to the old 15yo OB-d 'Fauna & Flora' expression. Of the three new OB releases this is the most pungent with a taste including rubber, briny fishing nets and smoky bonfires.

Flavour Map Ref: D10
Light / Smoky

[Blind tasting note from RJ during the SFWC:

SCORE: 2/5

The first time I tried it, at the end of an evening, my scribbles merely question if I like whisky at all, with a note to try it again.

I did. Pungent, acerbic and peaty (again) no depth or complexity, flat - just peaty. That's the nose. The taste is like blotting paper, dull. If this is the future of malt whisky then I'm going straight.

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A hidden gem!

Brimful with fruity aromas, creamy and easily drinkable.

See also our 1999 Bottling of the Year - Knockdhu

On the Malt Whisky Flavour Map we reckon this belongs in square: F6
Complex

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More wood influence spoils it for some, best wait for the revelations of the thirty year old.

[Blind tasting note from RJ during the SFWC:

Loads of sherry wood, some burnt smoke. Nice well-balanced dram, slight pepper and spice, I like this. Water reveals lemons but everything else is well balanced and well, chust perfect! Covers all the tongue with no dominant elements.

Score 9.5/10]

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