Ardberg Scorch Islay Single Malt Whiskey 70 cl

Description

Ardbeg Scorch: the power of peat and charred casks

On the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland, the Ardbeg distillery is renowned for its intensely peated single malts. With Scorch, it presents a limited edition that explores the influence of maturation in heavily charred bourbon casks. Launched in 2021 to mark Ardbeg Day, this release is inspired by the legend of a fire-breathing dragon and its imaginary passage through the distillery’s cask cellars.

The extensive charring of the casks plays a key role in the character of this whisky. It imparts pronounced aromas of burnt wood that complement Ardbeg’s signature peaty smoke. On the nose, notes of soot and smoke are accompanied by aniseed, patchouli and aromatic herbs. A small amount of water can bring out additional nuances of fennel and pine.

On the palate, the texture is oily and spicy. The mellow smoke blends with black liquorice, cloves and pepper, with medicinal accents characteristic of the distillery’s peated expressions. The finish lingers with notes of tar and soot, and a smoky aftertaste that will be particularly pleasing to lovers of powerful malts.

Bottled at 46% ABV and non-chill-filtered, Ardbeg Scorch is best enjoyed neat, at room temperature, in a tulip glass. Take the time to let it breathe before your first sip. It can be paired with a square of dark chocolate with low sugar content or savoured on its own, to preserve the full richness of its aromas.

This 70 cl bottle is aimed at Islay whisky enthusiasts, lovers of intense peat and collectors of limited-edition Ardbeg releases.