Ardbeg
Region: Islay
Founded: 1815
Status: Active
Capacity: 1,150,000 litres
Owner: The Glenmorangie Company (Moet Hennessy)
Whisky Reviews & Tasting Notes:
Ardbeg Alligator (92.5)
Ardbeg Almost There (91)
Ardbeg Blasda (90.5)
Ardbeg Corryvreckan (94)
Ardbeg Day (92)
Ardbeg Galileo (88)
Ardbeg Renaissance (92)
Ardbeg Serendipity (90)
Ardbeg Still Young (90.5)
Ardbeg Ten (90.5)
Ardbeg Uigeadail (93)
Ardbeg Very Young (91.5)
All Things Whisky 
Okay. I’ve tried the Galileo three times now and I’m not sure what the heck is going on! Very strange tastes and a short and not overly pleasant finish. I’ll have to sit down tomorrow and analyze it further, but then I’ll probably put it in the back of the cabinet for a while to see if it improves, along with the Jura 10 and Bunna 12 (don’t like it’s taste profile at all). Would never guess it was Ardbeg.
I tried it on Islay a few weeks back (a little hungover, and following three other Ardbegs…not the ideal tasting situation). But I DID bring some back with me and DO have more coming. Also…have a wee sample here to review in coming days.
Coming Ardbeg reviews:
– Galileo
– Ardbeg Day
– 17
– 1977
– and a couple of indies
Stay tuned.
I wasn’t a fan of Bunna 12 off the cork either, Robert, but now, some ten months later, I’ve found it has mellowed out into a well-balanced whisky (though not a traditional Islay – more a 2/3 Bruichladdich with 1/3 Glendronach). On the Galileo, maybe you got the Inquisition Edition.
ATW- Look forward to your review. Very strange bipolar whisky! Finish reminds me of Fresca when it had saccharine. I’ll wait for your review, but I will say it is being placed in the back of the cabinet beside the Bunna and Jura 10. That should give some hint on my feelings toward it.
Jeff – Realized recently that the reason I’m not fond of Black Bottle (besides the fact they maybe used 10% malt and the rest poor to mediocre grain) is that the malt is almost entirely Bunna, which I don’t really like. The 2 oz. of Ardbeg 10 i put in the BB months ago have made a HUGE difference in nose and palate. It is now an acceptable blend to me. God bless Ardbeg 10!
I didn’t know the malt in Black Bottle was Bunna, but it’s something to keep in mind. I think the Bunna 12 is distinctive enough to be someone’s favourite profile, though it will never be mine. Overall, I find it more steady and consistent than a couple of Bruichladdich products, although it is probably older than most of the flashy NAS bottles. Cheers!