Douglas Laing Ardbeg 18yr 1991 Old Malt Cask Whisky Review
Early 1990s Ardbeg, it really doesn't get much better than this. Bit of age under its belt too. I haven't had many from the 1990s that were sherried.
Notes
Eye: Mahogany infused honey
Nose: Sweet ocean spray mixed with an Australian bushfire smoke element. Australian bushfire? Yep. Hints of creaminess and honey but they are faint. This is all fire, ocean and sweetness.
Palate: Sweet at first then the bushfire smoke comes rushing in. The smoke isn't at all overbearing. Smoke is followed by the salty tang of ocean spray.
Finish: Very long finish on this one, rides out sweet, salty and oily. Smoke doesn't die but instead trails off.
Details
Distillery: Ardbeg
Age: 18yr's Old
Region: Islay
Bottler: Douglas Laing and Co
Distilled: March 1991
Bottled: August 2009
ABV: 50%
Limited: 208 bottles
Shame you won't find a bottle of this anywhere other than a collectors house or at auction. It was some of the best Ardbeg I have had to date. The Australian bushfire smoke really took me by surprise. I am yet to encounter anything else like it. One of those whiskies you will taste the next morning.
Couldn't think of anything more fitting than some Johnny Cash to go with it.
Sláinte!