Whisky Review: Ardbeg Ardcore Limited Edition Islay Single Malt

We assessed Whisky Review: Ardbeg Ardcore Limited Edition Islay Single Malt and bottled at 46% ABV, mash bill: 75% distilling malt, 25% black. At $130, it carries the weight of expectation.

Nose

There’s a moderate peat aroma when first smelling, showing a touch of sweet corn and iodine. It seems very fresh with a bracing aroma like newly fallen snow that I attribute to the saline aromas. Time in the glass brings forward notes of caramel sauce and melted white chocolate, probably from the bourbon barrels. There’s an earthy undertone of wet autumn leaves and fermented pu’er tea that distinguishes it from a typical Islay whisky. This is sweet and delicate on entry, with an oily texture and moderately rich body. There’s a savory quality not unlike Worcester sauce and roasted peanuts. The pepperiness builds on finish, showing lasting aromas of steamed corn, peat, and baked fish. I’m left with a lasting impression of salty licorice and char. Water brings out a delicate caramel note like milk powder, but does not further enhance the experience. I tasted this against Caol Isla, which I often use as a benchmark in tasting lineups for Islay whiskies or Scotch in general. Coal Isla has a more oceanic nose. The Ardbeg comes across as darker and earthier aromatically, as though filtered through composted autumn leaves, yet somehow more lifted, perhaps due to the sweetness. This doesn’t hit you over the head with peat, but it’s certainly present.rnrnOverall, I found the aromatics an unusual mix of savory and sweet. Though not my cup of tea, there’s plenty to appreciate for those that enjoy dark malts and earthy aromas.

Palate

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Verdict

Whisky Review: Ardbeg Ardcore Limited Edition Islay Single Malt delivers a thoroughly accomplished whiskey that justifies its $130 price point. It is well-crafted, balanced, and worthy of a place in any considered collection.