Ardbeg Uigeadail

Type:Single Malt Whisky

Country:Islay, Scotland

Size:700ml

ABV%: 54.2%

Points:97.5 Jim Murray

Awards:

-       Ardbeg was voted ‘World Whisky of the Year’ 4 times out of the last 7 years

-       Jim Murray's 2009 World Whiskyof the Year

-       Gold Award – 2014 Jim Murray's Whisky Bible

-       Gold Single Malt Scotch - to12 Yrs – 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

The Ardbeg distillery was established in Port Ellen on Islay in 1815. The two centuries which followed saw multiple changes in ownership as well as closures and resurrections.

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 received 97.5 points out of 100, the highest rating ever awarded by Mr Murray.

Uigeadail derives from the Scotch Gaelic for 'Dark and Mysterious Place' and is named for the Loch fromwhence Ardbeg draws its waters. Pronounced ‘Oog-a-dal’, it’s a special vatting that marries Ardbeg’s traditional deep, smoky notes with luscious, raisiny tones of old ex-Sherry casks. Ardbeg Uigeadail was voted by the 120,000+ strong Ardbeg Committee as their favourite Ardbeg.

A fine drop of Ardbeg bottle dat cask strength. A marriage of Ardbeg from bourbon barrels and sherry buttswhich gives a sweet and smoky finish to this malt. An absolutely stunning whisky, and following the demise of Airigh nam Beist, this probably represents the best value in the core range.

Tasting Notes: 

Nose: Multifaceted, notes of peat and little flourishes of dark sugar, freshly ground espresso beans, cereal notes and a most sophisticated tar.

Palate: Led by sweet, ripe fruit and black forest honey. A good helping of malt. The throne then usurped by a powerful peat and smoked barley.

Finish: Very long, caramel and malt weave their way through peat smoke and dark sugar and just a hint of fresh espresso coffee before it finally peters out.