ArdbegCorryvreckan
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
57.1% ABV
$75
Color: pale gold, a little bit cloudy
Smell: Big-time nose. It smells like a really sweet forest floor. Lots of smoke, moss, dirt, and band-aids, but somehow all drizzled with honey and citrus zest. If you like Islay scotches, you have to smell this! And if you don't like scotch generally, you'll want to stay as far away from this as humanly possible.
Taste: Mild and sweet first rush of flavor - all delicate flowers, gentle citrus, and honey initially in the mouth. But let it sit there and introduce some air, and it reminds you - quickly - that it's an Ardbeg. Pleasing alcohol heat and tons of smoke show up mid-palate and the finish is endless. You know when you smoke a cigar and, despite brushing your teeth and chewing gum afterwards, your breath still stinks? This is the whisky version of that. I can't imagine anything else lingering this long. Normally I just rinse our the tasting glass I use, but the Corryvreckan necessitated a good soaping. So damned powerful.
Overall: This is a knock-out, but you have to bring your big-boy pants. If you're not sure if you like scotch, experiment elsewhere first. This would be like giving a 16 year old a Ferrari. There is nothing I would rather drink while ice fishing or otherwise while outside in winter. Lagavulin 16 arguably has more balance and finesse (and definitely more of a "sea air" quality), but this is a consummate "f&*% you" smokebomb powerhouse of an Islay, and it's breathtaking. It's an absolute must-try.
