Ardbeg Alligator Committee Reserve for Discussion 51.2% NV

Professional reviews

Whisky Notes (88)

Color
Pale straw
Nose
It shows all the power of Ardbeg 10, with charcoal, medicinal peat and smoke, but also added notes of cocoa, marzipan and sweet barbecue sauce. A little vanilla and burnt sugar. Nice balance of sweet and savoury notes. Definitely less lemon notes, this one is darker and warmer. I like it. With some water, the toffee / vanilla combo stands out, and some fresh lemon shows up.

Taste
Medium weight and medium peat, more gentle than I've come to expect from Ardbeg lately. Lots of pepper and ginger. Some cardamom. Charcoal and vanilla. Some liquorice. Evolves around spices, but it remains a little youngish maybe.

Finish
Tarry with coffee and chocolate, but shorter than expected.

Comments
A nice Ardbeg: darker, warmer and sweeter than Ardbeg 10, with a "modern" wood influence. I like the result, but the complexity seems a little under par compared to some classic expressions.