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Ardbeg Uigeadail
Excellent nose but just a bit too much alcohol burn from the young spirit.
Score: 7 / C
27 August 2023
Category
Country
Region
Distillery
Owner
Age
ABV
Chill Filtered?
Added Colouring?
UK Price
Cask Makeup
Single Malt Scotch
Scotland
Region: Islay
Ardbeg
The Glenmorangie Co
Non Age Stated
54.2%
No
Yes
£70
Bourbon, Sherry
Introduction
Nowhere is more associated with peated whisky than Islay. Ardbeg nestled on the shore in the south of the Island has embraced the connection with peat often releasing heavily peated ‘committee releases’ with eccentric marketing. So, what lies beneath all the talk can they still produce whisky to the standards that have seen them become one of the most sought-after distillers in the world?
The Uigeadail (Oog-a-dal) has been a Non-Age Stated staple in the Ardbeg range since 2003. It has always been a combination of bourbon and sherry casks which are likely 2nd or 3rd fill. The subdued influence of these casks helps emphasise the smoky character of the whisky, but it also likely leaves it looking pale after a short period of maturation. Ardbeg have to my mind made the unfortunate decision to add colouring. I would prefer to see the whisky in its true form and let the taste do the talking but unfortunately marketing and aesthetics has won out. Uigeadail is bottled at 54.2% (95 UK Proof). This has not changed through the years and was likely chosen instead of ‘cask strength’ to provide a high strength continuity whilst mellowing the young whisky coming out of these young casks probably at around 60% or above.
Colour
E150a (Caramel)
Aroma
What a nose! It is probably one of the easiest to place, the sweet notes and smoke instantly hitting you with sticky meat cooking on a BBQ. There is also a distinct citrus note that comes through with some toffee and some earthy undertones. I could happily just keep smelling it, absolute cracker. Keep smelling and you start to get the medicinal TCP coming through.
Taste
The young nature of the alcohol comes through initially with some burn and pepper leading which is quite distracting. The smoke is easily recognised along with the medicinal notes often found in Islay peat. They blend nicely with the woody tones which move through to leather and tobacco. There is a little touch of salt present as well.
Finish
Long with plenty of wood, smoke, and spice.
Water
Calms the smoke, pepper and alcohol and gives more of a fruity aroma. I am finding tropical notes. The wood is still present but is now closer to oak than tobacco.
Thoughts
The nose and the finish on this whisky are very nice indeed, the initial taste however has just too much alcohol burn and pepper. It just bumps the enjoyment down a notch and stops this being a really great whisky. It is a huge shame as the nose is fantastic. I would highly recommend drinking with a few drops of water to help mellow the alcohol slightly and bring out the fruity notes. It makes a much more pleasant experience. I think it is a massive shame that it has been coloured. It alters your senses perception of the whisky in a false manner.
The whisky is very nice, but I kept wondering what would happen if they let the whisky mature slightly longer to reduce the alcohol burn. If I was Ardbeg I would be scheming up a 10 or 15 year old Uigeadail release. If they did a committee release it would provide very popular!
Worth the Purchase?
Overall it is an enjoyable dram, but it is quite expensive at £70 despite the high ABV. It is difficult to think of a like for like competitor but similar drinks such as Longrow Peated or even Kilkerran 12 are significantly cheaper albeit at 46%. If you can find it below RRP then I would happily recommend snapping it up.
Want to try something similar?
Kilkerran 12 Year Old
Cadenhead Union 4 Year Old (2022)
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