The Ardbeg Lord of the Isles is a 25-year-old whisky from the iconic Islay distillery, founded in 1815 by John MacDougall. This rare malt whisky is a supreme expression of Ardbeg, slowly matured in oak barrels for 25 years and non-chill-filtered to retain maximum flavor. Known for its outstandingly smoky drams, Ardbeg has a rich history, including being mothballed for most of the 1980s and changing ownership multiple times before being bought by Glenmorangie plc in 1997, which turned around its fortunes.
The Lord of the Isles whisky embodies the richness, depth, and sweetness of all Ardbegs, with a light gold color and powerful character. It is a phenomenal, much-sought-after bottling of a truly outstanding malt. The nose is very smoky but not especially peaty, with ripe apple, heavy peat, and grassy, farmy notes emerging after a while. The taste is bold and rich, with tropical fruit, a load of peat and smoke, and a nice balance. This is pure Ardbeg, with a very long finish that is saltier and more lemony.
The packaging and bottle are in good condition, with only a scratch on the back of the packaging. This whisky was bottled between 2001 and 2007 and comes in a presentation box with a scroll. Overall, it exemplifies a refined, high-quality Ardbeg that would be even more stunning at cask strength.
On the nose, it starts with softly lingering smoke from a dying fire, slightly burnt lemon custard pie, butterscotch, and smoke-dried apple slices. Smoked dried fruits with a drizzle of smoked honey, a touch of wood smoke diffused in briny sea air and oyster shells, worn leather-bound recently polished wooden furniture, with a fading mild alcohol-burn tinged scent of baking spices, earth/dunnage warehouse, and oak. The palate reveals wood smoke and tar, smoked osmanthus with a touch of smoked honey, smoked malt, smoked slightly burnt dried fruits (prunes, papaya, apples, currants, cranberries) with a bit of smoked cured meats and hard cheeses, smoked lemon curd on slightly burnt dark multigrain toast, smoked butterscotch with a touch of scorched vanilla. The finish is long, showcasing smoked dark chocolate espresso beans, smoked walnut mixed with smoked salty candied orange peel, a touch of licorice and marshmallow root, and a long slow fade of gently dying woodfire smoke and woodspice.
As an island king without a kingdom, this whisky is exquisite and delicate, rich in layers, elegant and soft. The nose brings sweet cream, milk soap, chamomile, breath of the sea, fresh, elegant, cool and smoky, with smoked salmon and pomegranate juice. The taste is light smoke, sea salt, fish oil, orange juice, plump, sweet, vanilla sugar, and light cream. The finish extends with long notes of orange juice, sea salt, and disinfected water.
Among notable Ardbeg releases, this one stands out for its wonderful balance and high reputation. Its nose is a beautiful mix of toffee, beeswax, clotted cream, stollen, old furniture, bung cloth, olive oil, and smoked haddock, hinting at fantastic old-school sherry casks and a great blending job. The palate is lovely with stewed fruits, mahogany, bright, oily, citrus oils, seashells, oysters, and a long texture. The finish is very lengthy with salty, maritime, peach and lemon, fine smoke, and peat, making it a harmonious experience.
The ABV (Alcohol by Volume) of Ardbeg Lord of the Isles 25yo is 46%.
The bottle size is 700 ml.
It was aged for 25 years.
It comes in a presentation box with a scroll.
Softly lingering smoke, burnt lemon custard pie, butterscotch, smoke-dried apple slices, smoked dried fruits, smoked honey, wood smoke, briny sea air, oyster shells, worn leather, baking spices, earth/dunnage warehouse, oak.
Wood smoke, tar, smoked osmanthus, smoked honey, smoked malt, burnt dried fruits (prunes, papaya, apples, currants, cranberries), smoked cured meats, hard cheeses, smoked lemon curd, burnt multigrain toast, smoked butterscotch, scorched vanilla.
Smoked dark chocolate espresso beans, smoked walnut, salty candied orange peel, licorice, marshmallow root, woodfire smoke, woodspice, salty maritime, peach, lemon, peat.
This Ardbeg Lord of the Isles 25yo is a remarkable whisky, boasting an exquisite balance of smoky, fruity, and maritime notes. Its complexity is accented by layers of smoked elements, rich tropical fruits, and a long-lasting, harmonious finish. It's a refined, high-quality expression that captures the essence of Ardbeg's craftsmanship.
The Ardbeg Lord of the Isles 25yo is an exceptional whisky that truly lives up to its legendary status. From the initial smoky and fruity aromas to the bold, rich palate and extended finish, every sip is a journey into the depths of Islay's finest malt. Its balance and complexity make it a standout amongst Ardbeg's releases, earning its place as a much-sought-after collector's item. A must-try for any whisky enthusiast.
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