Ardbeg An Oa Whisky 46.6%

Nose: Rounded and subtly smoky (Applewood smoked), with creamy toffee, aniseed, treacle and dates. Acurious suggestion of juicy fruits, such as peach and banana. With a drop of water, reminders of Ardbeg’s classic fragrance – lime, pine resin, fennel, saddle soap and tar. A gentle waxiness, like fragrant candlewax, and hints of smoked herbs.

Palate:A smooth, creamy texture leads into a huge syrupy sweetness, flavours of milk chocolate, treacle toffee, aniseed, orange and smoky tea leaves. Gentle, sweet spices (nutmeg & cinnamon), some cigar smoke, and a very unusual flavour of grilled artichokes. Long and sweet, with floral overtones, mint toffee and some gentle malty, biscuit notes.

Finish:Lingering, seductive, gentle yet intense, with flavours of aniseed, hickory and distant subtle smoke.

This Islay distillery renowned for it’s peaty whiskies was initially documented way back in 1794. In recent years it’s expressions have won esteemed awards like World’s Best Single Malt and World Whisky of the Year to name just a few. The distillery brought out its peatiest whisky to date in 2009 named Supernova.