Ardbeg Scorch, General Release 2021

ABV

46%

 

Region

Islay

 

Bottling

Distillery
 

Cask type

Ex-Bourbon and Dragon Charred Casks


Nose

The nose starts off with sweet peat smoke, along with burnt wood, anise and sage. Fruity notes come through with grilled apricots and some orange. Notes of herbs, some bitumen and ash emerge in the background.

Palate

Oily on the palate with a honey sweetness and a fresh citrus note. Then fruity apricot, accompanied by malt sugar and sweet peat smoke. Becomes a little dry towards the finish with liquorice and bitumen.

Finish

The finish is long, creamy and oily with liquorice sweets, plus some tar and subtle smoke.


With water

After adding a few drops of water, a little more smoke on the nose, more liquorice, but less sweetness. On the palate, however, again clearly sweeter with honey, plus fresh citrus notes and oranges with warming herbal notes, like sage. Clearly spicier towards the finish with pepper, anise and peat smoke, accompanied by liquorice, bitumen and ash. The finish is still long, but much drier with ash, liquorice, tar and subtle peat smoke.

Comments

The Scorch is also convincing at drinking strength all along the line. Delightful peat smoke aromas mingle with citrus notes and a creamy, oily sweetness to create a pleasant taste experience. The Ardbeg Day 2021 can come!

 

I thank Moët Hennessy Germany for the complimentary sample and the image!