Ardbeg 25 Years Old (2022) & Ardbeg 2009 14yo Single Cask #3771 Feis Ile 2024

Ardbeg 25 Years Old (2022)

Region: Islay

ABV: 46.0%

Price: £850.00 

First released in 2021, Ardbeg 25 Years Old is drawn from bourbon casks filled during the 1990s, a period when production at the distillery was extremely limited. Released in small batches this is the 2022 release.

Nose

The nose opens with s’mores, wood shavings, bonfire smoke and toffee. The alcohol is well integrated, with just a touch of spice coming through. Going back, we’re finding wet pebbles, tobacco, dried roasted peanuts, lime cordial and a faint hint of antiseptic, alongside some vanilla ice cream.

Palate

The palate opens with strawberry sauce, lemon juice, apple sauce and tar, with an ashy smoke running through from the start right into the finish. The mouthfeel is okay given the ABV, while sweet chilli spice builds towards the good length finish alongside some orange rind. It’s a touch spicier than we were expecting given the age and strength.

Nose (with water)

Water brings out warehouse must, dried staves, plasticine and Play-Doh, while the roasted peanuts have shifted more towards pistachios. The nose remains just as smoky, with the citrus becoming more prominent, particularly lime. Most of the other notes we found before dilution remain present and largely unchanged.

Palate (with water)

The spice has dampened with water and the mouthfeel has held up well. There’s now a hint of musk and lavender appearing through the mid-palate, while the ashy smoke and citrus remain. The finish feels better balanced than it did neat, although it has lost a little of its length in the process.

Conclusion

There’s plenty of Ardbeg character here, with bonfire smoke, tar, ash and antiseptic sitting alongside some enjoyable citrus and sweeter notes. The nose is the highlight part for us, while the palate is a little spicier than we expected and the mouthfeel, although perfectly decent, doesn’t quite reach the level we’d hope for from a whisky of this age. These flaws compound to drag the score down.

Score: 6.5/10

Value

If we were dropping this kinda of cash on an Ardbeg we’d probably go for a single cask instead.

Ardbeg 2009 14yo Single Cask #3771 Feis Ile 2024

Region: Islay

ABV: 59.0%

Price: £550.00

Distilled at Ardbeg on the 2nd July 2009 and bottled on 18th October 2023 after 14 years of maturation, this official single-cask release was matured in second-fill Pedro Ximénez sherry butt #3771. Released at the distillery for Fèis Ìle 2024, the cask produced 633 bottles.

Nose

The nose opens with cashew nuts, cloves, brown sauce and dried earth, followed by dark chocolate, gingerbread and somethings that reminds us of a peat bog. There’s more alcohol spice than we were expecting at this age, and although there are plenty of interesting individual notes, it all feels a little one dimensional.

Palate

The palate is dry and spicy throughout, with burnt wet wood chips, Bazooka Joe bubblegum, aniseed and cloves. Like the nose, it’s fairly one dimensional, but we’re not hating it. The mouthfeel is solid and the finish is a good length, with the spice continuing right through.

Nose (with water)

The nose feels a little dampened with water. The smoke remains noticeable, but strangely the alcohol is now a little more prominent. Outwith that, the profile hasn’t changed dramatically, with much of the aromas we found before dilution still here.

Palate (with water)

Water has brought out a golden syrup note alongside the pre-dilution flavours, while the spice has softened slightly. Orange juice and honey add some sweetness and citrus . The mouthfeel has held up well.

Conclusion

There’s plenty to enjoy here, although neat it feels one dimensional , with dryness and spice dominating both the nose and palate. Water works better on the palate than the nose, softening the spice and bringing out some sweeter citrus notes that allow more of the distillery character to show through. It’s still not particularly complex, but we enjoyed it more after dilution.

Score: 7/10

Value

£550 is extremely expensive for a 14yo single cask, even taking into account the limited outturn and Fèis Ìle release.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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