Ardbeg 10yo (46%, OB, b. ca. 2005): nose: a big splash of sea water, is it not? Wet sands, seashells, sea spray and sea air. Just as I marvel at how different those notes are, compared to my memories of Ardbeg 10yo released circa 2002-2005 (ashes, cereals and earth), an ashier note slaps me in the nose. White ashes spread on the ground, then sprinkled with fortified wine, burnt hazelwood that was extremely dry to begin with, and smoked haybales. Soon enough, it claws back some of the initial maritime allure, though it is now squid ink and tarry ropes. The second nose is earthier yet, with dry clay and half-baked pottery. A drop of ink remains in the background. Mouth: what the deuce!? Shampoo? There is a whiff of smoke and ashy toffee, but it is spoiled by shampoo. In this impeccable sample bottle and its self-sealing lid, it is most unexpected. Nothing in the nose suggested it either, so I believe the liquid suffered in the sample, rather than a dud bottle from the start. The second sip is even worse. Full-on shampoo. Finish: still soapy, but some of the original character survives. We find cereals, muesli, porridge, even. Indeed, it is creamy, if not exactly custardy. Burnt wood and ashes rise and heat up the chest, which feels as though sipping warm salt water from an inky seashell. The second gulp sees flame-grilled pineapple ignite, then extinguished with a dash of shampoo. Decent, but sadly damaged by the soapy notes. 5/10 (Thanks for the sample, Savoureur)
Happy birthday, JD.
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