Ardbeg Anthology: The Unicorn's Tale

Ardbeg Anthology: The Unicorn's Tale

Region: Islay

ABV: 46.0%

Price: £129.95

For those unaware, this gimmicky Ardbeg release is 2nd bottling in the Anthology Collection, a series that features ‘experimental' single malts matured in cask types that are new to the distillery. This release is The Unicorn's Tale, a bottling that has been aged for 14 years in a combination of bourbon and madeira casks.

Nose

On the nose, this whisky begins with notes of tar, antiseptic, peanut butter, dry earth, and a hint of eucalyptus. With a bit of patience, notes of burning wood from a distant log fire emerge, accompanied by gingerbread, lemon juice, sea spray, and cashew nuts.

Palate

On the palate, flavours of antiseptic, tar, and creosote dominate, accompanied by earthy notes similar to those on the nose, with a touch of dried apricots and orange juice in the background. The mouthfeel is good, though a bit thin for our liking, but it makes sense given the ABV. The finish is spicy for its ABV, reminiscent of chilli jam, with ash lingering. There’s also notes of cashew and peanut butter. We’re finding the spice lingers longer than the sweetness.

Nose (with water)

With water added, the nose remains similar to its undiluted state but features more of those notes of citrus and nuts. As we continue to spend time with it, we notice more influence from the bourbon casks, with vanilla, marshmallows, and charred wood starting to appear.

Palate (with water)

With water, the palate, much like the undiluted nose, remains similar to its pre-diluted state but now includes a touch of spiciness and a hint of bitterness reminiscent of coffee. Despite dilution, the smoky notes persist prominently.

Conclusion

This is definitely an above-average special edition from Ardbeg, though it doesn't quite match the stellar heights of some previous releases. That said, it offers a good level of smoke intermingled with some interesting flavours.

Score: 8/10

Value

While not cheap, it is £10 less and a year older than the previous release in the series.

• 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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