Ardbeg Corryvreckan - Committee Release

Ardbeg Corryvreckan - Committee Release, NAS, 57,1%

Here iss my second review from the Ardbeg Day tasting at The Tasting Room in Bergen.

The Corryvreckan was released back in 2008, and the committee release version now sells online at "ye-gads!" kind of prices. The "non-committee" version though, is available at Vinmonopolet for a more reasonable NOK 826. This version, though, is said to be somewhat inferior.

The name is from the Corryvreckan whirlpool between the islands of Jura and Scarba, and is derived from the Gaelic Coirebhreacain meaning "cauldron of the speckled seas".

Nose (23/25): I get an immediate assosiation to Tate and Lyle's Golden Syrup. It's quite sweet. It's also very peaty. I find ginger, pepper, oak, popcorn, leather and vanilla. It's distinctly maritime as well.

Taste (23/25): There's a big peppery hit upfront. The mouthfeel is very round and rich. Salty and leathery, again a strong maritime feeling.  Some ginger and a hint of red wine. And yes, it's big on the peat.

Finish (22/25): A long, lingering finish. There's smoky bacon and (sweet) barbecue sauce. Spicy, with pepper, ginger and cardamom.

Balance (23/25): This is a sweet and spicy Ardbeg that I really like. Perhaps the dram with the most maritime feeling of the ones we sampled on Ardbeg Day.

Score (91/100)

Sláinte! - Kjell Ove