Ardbeg
The Ultimate
10 ans
It's still nice
to have friends who know you and choose a gift based on your turf tastes and
articles you haven't written yet.
For this
occasion, I take you to Islay in a very old distillery that experienced its
glory days in the years 1815-35 before changing hands several times and closing
its doors in 1981. Fortunately, this is not the end of the story for distillery
enthusiasts, as after several attempts to revive the distillery between 1989
and 1996, it was put up for sale and purchased by Glenmorangie in 1997. It
became part of the LVMH group.
With its policy
of turning 75 houses into companies with strong identities by preserving and
perfecting know-how to offer exceptional products to their customers, LVMH Moët
Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE is rapidly restoring the Ardbeg distillery to its
former glory. In 2008, the 10-year-old distillery was named World Whisky of the Year (best single
malt in the world) in Jim Murray's bible.
The packaging is bottle green with white and gold lettering.
The A in the name is in a style derived from the famous Book of Kells (so much so that it is also a registered trademark). This fabulous testament to the art of the Middle Ages dates back to the 9th century. The texts are delicately calligraphed. Each page is filled with highly detailed illuminations. This book is one of the most remarkable relics of medieval religious art. Aesthetics took precedence over practicality. This has resulted in this beautiful and world-famous manuscript.
Monks are said to have performed it around the
year 800, but this date is questionable. It is difficult to know whether this
is the date of the beginning or completion of the book. Some say it dates to
the sixth century. At least four copyists and two artists were involved in its
production.
These monks were driven from their island of Iona
by the Vikings. They took refuge in the monastery of Kells.
They set the bar
high because they call it The Ultimate
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky; it has to be said that they have had the
most tarted single malt whisky in Scotland for years and then to be in the
bible two years in a row encourages them to stand out as the ultimate.
The box also
states that the drink contains 46% ALC, that it is not cold filtered and that
the bottle is 70 cl.
To complete the
packaging, there are spirals, braids and an explanation of the distillery and Islay
on the back of the box.
1er
test I pour myself a tasting glass.
Nose: balanced,
deep, peaty and smoky, chocolate and citrus and grapefruit. It develops on
iodine, smoked fish, tobacco.
Taste: I start
with a sensation of white pepper and clove and then move on to smoke, wood fire
ash and oily earth.
It changes again to leave salty, licorice, pear and very floral sensations
Finish: long, smoky, with a hint of peppermint or ginger.
The second test
with a touch of water brings out much stronger aromas, but also strong coffee,
currants, caramel, spruce and a hint of vanilla.
In conclusion, thanks to Francis V. for this gift, which will remain in my tasting annals. A smoky and iodized whisky, but with a surprising and varied palette due to its maturation in bourbon casks. And it rivals the cigar that accompanied the tasting (Davidoff WSC Limited Edition 2022).
