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Ardbeg Scorch

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3.1
(4)€196Scotland, Islay, Single Malt

Flavours

Whisky character

Fresh
Warm
Mild
Full
Smooth
Spicy

Taste mentions

Facts

Ardbeg has a habit of pushing things to the edge, and Scorch leans right into that reputation. The distillery matured this one in its most heavily charred ex-bourbon casks ever. Then named it after the legendary dragon said to haunt Islay. The result lives up to the story. You get thick smoke, a lick of soot, and a peaty, tarry depth that coats the tongue. Black licorice and medicinal notes weave through the heat. Underneath it all sits a salty, oily backbone that keeps the dram grounded. Pour it neat and let the fire breathe a little before the first sip.

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About the distillery

Distillery

Ardbeg

Ardbeg distillery is located on the southern coast of the Isle of Islay, Scotland. It was founded in 1815 and has been producing some of the world's most highly regarded Islay single malt whiskies ever since. Ardbeg uses traditional malted barley, Scottish water, and peat to produce its signature smoky and peaty flavors. The distillery uses malted barley that is heavily peated to around 55 parts per million (ppm) phenols, which gives its whiskies a distinct and powerful flavor. Interesting fact: In 2011, Ardbeg sent vials of its whisky to the International Space Station to study the effects of microgravity

4.2Average rating

137Whiskies on Distilld

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Islay

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About the Ardbeg Scorch

Ardbeg Scorch is a single malt Scotch whisky from Ardbeg on the island of Islay in Scotland. It was bottled to mark Ardbeg Day, the distillery's wild annual celebration of all things peaty. What sets this release apart is the wood. Ardbeg matured the spirit in its most heavily charred ex-bourbon American oak casks ever used. That extreme char gives Scorch its name, a nod to the mythical dragon said to roam Islay's shores. The distillery leaned hard into the theme of fire. The flavour delivers on the promise. Expect dense, smoky waves backed by a heavy peaty core. Ash and soot drift across the nose before the first sip. On the palate you find black licorice, medicinal lozenge, and a tarry edge that lingers. The deep char lends a charred oak warmth that runs right through the finish. Underneath the smoke sits Ardbeg's signature character. There is a salty, oily weight here, along with a faint coastal brine typical of Islay distilleries. The 46% strength carries it all without ever feeling thin or sharp. This is a whisky for drinkers who already love their drams bold and peat-forward. Newcomers may find it intense, and that is rather the point. Pour Ardbeg Scorch neat in a tulip glass and give it a moment to open. The smoke softens slightly, revealing sweeter notes hiding beneath the fire. A faint floral lift and a peppery edge come through too. The oily texture coats the mouth and holds the flavour long. Few Islay malts wear their heat quite so proudly. For committed peat fans, Ardbeg Scorch is a fierce and memorable dram.