Ardbeg Uigeadail Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml

Ardbeg Uigeadail was recently voted by the 80.000 strong Ardbeg Committee as their favourite Ardbeg. In 2009, Jim Murray's Whisky Bible named Ardbeg Uigeadail 'World Whisky of the Year' in praise of its outter silky brilliance and complexity on a level only a handful of distilleries in the world can even dream of reaching.

Uigeadail (pronounced Oog-a-dal ) is Gaelic for a dark, mysterious place.

Named after the distillery s water source, this whisky is a marriage of sweetness, spice and deep smokiness. The peat-laden waters of Loch Uigeadail provide the smoky tones in this whisky, while maturation in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks imparts rich, warm flavours perfect for a dramatic, stormy night.

But the true secret behind Ardbeg Uigeadail's success? A unique vatting method that marries the deep, smoky notes from ex-bourbon American oak with the luscious, raisin-like character of ex-sherry Oloroso casks.

Tasting Notes:

Aroma: Rich and weighty with heady and smoky aromatics. At full strength, the initial aroma is a beguiling mix of warm Christmas cake, walnut oil and parma violets fused with fresh ocean spice, cedar and pine needles falling from the Christmas tree. A smouldering coal fire and the scent of well-oiled leather brings warmth. The sweetness of treacle toffees and chocolate-coated raisins emerge through the smoke. With water, the deep smokiness increases in intensity, reminiscent of a fired Christmas pudding. Rich flowering currants and warm baked banana and walnut bread are served with simmering mocha espresso.

Taste: Full flavoured and rich with a deep mouth-coating texture, the taste is an intriguing balance between sweet, spicy and deep smoky flavours. The flavour is initially sweet. A burst of winter spices sets off a smoky-spicy explosion countered by a sumptuous mid-palate of honey glazed smoked food and chewy treacle. Waves of deep smoky tones and rich aromas build up on the palate like a fine Montecristo cigar.

Finish: Amazingly long and chewy with lingering raisiny, deep mocha tones and rich aromatic smoke into the perfectly integrated finish.

"The palate is complex and rich, offering orange segments sprinkled with sea salt, dark chocolate, malt, and ever-present sweet peat. Nicely balanced. Lengthy in the finish, with smoky caramel." - Gavin Smith, Whisky Advocate