The eighth release from 'Ar' within the Elements of Islay series has been bottled from a single bourbon barrel, distilled in the early 2000's. Only 345 bottles produced, bottled at cask strength, 54.3% vol. Now, if we could only figure out what distillery it might be from...
Tasting Notes
Ar8 - Elements of Islay (Ardbeg) Producer Notes
Nose: Sea brine and caramel wafers to start, with sweet barbecue smoke followed by an undercurrent of summer fruit. Darker notes of old floorboards and smoked herring marry with spicy vanilla and chocolate shards studded with raisins and nuts.
Palate: Juicy with a background note of cranberries, sooty smoke and salted caramel. The fresh first-fill cask character comes alive and leads the palate. The spiciness of the nose comes through with a much bigger kick, while the whisky becomes creamier. Herbaceous smoke leads, walking beside fresh lemon and lime zestiness.
Finish: A lingering spicy finish that dries out nicely, leaving sooty smoke.