Ardbeg Auriverdes
This site may have an Ardbeg problem. And let us tell you, that’s the kind of problem you want to have. Ardbeg has made a regular habit of releasing limited offerings every year or so over the past decade. Some are bigger hits than others, but they’re all No Age Statement (NAS) bottlings that each have a unique character. Some get brought into the regular line up, like the Uigeadail, while others remain hallowed and elusive (hello, Ardbog). This year’s name is a tip of the hat to the 2014 World Cup, held in Brazil. Auriverdes means “gold” and “green,” which are the colors of Brazil. Ardbeg claims that the whisky is gold and the bottle is green – also very true. Will this Ardbeg Auriverdes be able to stand tall on the Ardbeg team?
Laphroaig Triple Wood
Laphroaig is an institution on Islay. As such, they’ve had time to experiment. Some whiskys get additional flavoring from being partially or wholly aged in a variety of barrels (ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, ex-etc.). The folks at Laphroaig have doubled, nay, tripled down on that area of the distillation process with this Triple Wood offering. The first is ex-bourbon American oak, the second is quarter casks (smaller cask means more of the whisky is in contact with the wood and thus takes on more flavoring), and the third is ex-Oloroso sherry European oak.
Ardbeg 10 Year
The Ardbeg 10 is the third Ardbeg reviewed here at Scotchology, and for good reason. This has been a standard from the distillery for a long, long time and for good reason. This entry is the base model for their regular offerings, which should not defer any interested in a good drink. Will this younger sibling be able to hold its head up around the Ardbog and Uigeadail?