Twentysomething

Here's what I will tell you about the new Ardbeg 23 year old committee release that just landed in our warehouse today: I was lucky enough to try it a few months back when Ardbeg's distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden was in town for a promotional tour and we got the chance to eat lunch together. He pulled out a small flask and poured me a glass, asking me what I thought about the whisky without telling me what it was. I was utterly entranced by it. It was so soft and silky compared to the powerful and high proof Ardbegs like the Uigeadail and Corryvreckan. The smoke was heavy, but it was muted by rounded vanilla and creamy malt flavors. I knew it had to be old. The finish went on forever and I just sat there grinning as I licked my lips and asked him what I had just experienced. Bill smiled and said it was the upcoming Ardbeg "Twentysomething," a new committee bottling from the distillery planned for a winter release in the states. It's by the far the most luxurious Ardbeg I've tasted since the 1977 and Lord of the Isles releases of long ago and it's a legit, top shelf single malt.

I'm long past the point of being able to justify what's worth it to whisky drinkers when they're throwing down money like this for a luxury bottle, but if you're worried about the quality here I can squash those concerns. It's really good.

Ardbeg "Twentysomething" 23 Year Old Committee Release Single Malt Whisky $549.99 

-David Driscoll