Ardbeg 1974 vW The Ultimate
| Category | SINGLE MALT |
| Distillery | Ardbeg |
| Bottler | van Wees (vW) |
| Bottling Series | - |
| Vintage | 1974 |
| Bottled Year | 1994 |
| Age | 19년 |
| Cask Type | Oak Cask |
| Cask Number | - |
| Bottles Released | - |
| ABV | 43.0% |
| Volume | 50 ml 700 ml |
| Label | - |
| Country | Scotland |
| Region | Islay |
Flavor Profile
Tasting Notes
Colour
just the same
air Nose
interesting! We have the same kind of profile but, indeed, closer to a Bordeaux in a certain way. More on blackcurrants, a little bell pepper… Also much more vinous, although it’s not excessively so. Not as clean but still quite fresh and lively. Now, it’s rather simple and lacking a little definition, but we do have the fresh red fruits coming through after a while, as well as quite some kirsch again and cake. Rather pleasant, in fact, even if quite far from ‘Scotch whisky’ wow, lots of oomph for a 43% whisky. It starts unusually citrusy (citrons, lemons, grapefruits) and mineral, almost like one of the best Alsatian Rieslings (from the Riquewihr-Hunawihr region). Huge notes of fireplace, gunflint, fir wood smoke… It gets then more ‘classical’, with quite some apple juice, compote, peat smoke, getting then rather medicinal as expected (bandages, iodine). And it keeps developing, with whiffs of marzipan, almond milk, fresh hazelnuts… Just beautiful, perfectly balanced and bloody enjoyable
restaurant Palate
now it’s this one which is cleaner. Bold, hot, extremely fruity (this palate would fit the SMWS’ nose better!) on strawberry jam and caramel, getting very honeyed. Very sweet and nervous at the same time! Something toasted… Crystallized fruits (oranges)… Getting quite spicy and gingery, with quite some (soft) tannins. And the finish is long, still punchy and remaining a little hot, on strawberry jam. A good finished one, no doubt. 84 points . CRAZY WHISKY AD - WINTER SPORTS - A SHORT HISTORY - Part 6 Left, Canadian Club , 1963: 'Even my heart turned over when I tried upside-down skiing.' Yet another 'extreme sports' ad by canadian Club. Right, Three Feathers , 1966. 'Smooth take-off.' Rather weird, but we've seen stranger things in the old Three Feathers ads... We'll post more! MUSIC – Recommended listening - This is good, this is very good methinks: drummer Scott Amendola and his band doing Buffalo bird woman.mp3 . A wonderful development from jazz to country through blues, some very funny hints (at Giant Steps, at the Floyd's Money, at Jefferson Airplane etc.) In short, please buy his music! February 20, 2006 TASTING - FOUR INDIE 1974 ARDBEGS Ardbeg 19 yo 1974/1993 (43%, Signatory, casks #4375-77, 980 bottles) Colour; white wine the attack is a tad weak but that doesn’t last for long. Some nutty and smoky notes are soon to take control, with a very nice bitterness (lemon and grape seeds). Develops on old turpentine, old-style cough drops (I think there was natural tar in them), zabaglione, grilled argan oil, bitter almonds… It’s sort of delicate but not weak at all anymore. Maybe a little mint and certainly quite some forest honeydew. The finish isn’t extraordinarily long but very smoky and waxy… Just excellent! 92 points . Ardbeg 28 yo 1974/2003 (50%, Douglas Laing OMC, 264 bottles)
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