Ardbeg Corryvreckan

When it comes to Scotch there are officially five Whisky regions in Scotland - Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside. Two of theses however produce the majority of Scotch found here in the states. Islay and Speyside. Speyside is located on the northeast side of Scotland and produces scotches such as Glenfiddich, Macallan, Glenlivet, and Moray. The flavors vary a lot from distillery to distillery as you would expect, but for me the are almost always light, crisp, floral, and dance on your tongue.  They are friendly.  

Ardbeg is not this Scotch! It’s mean, haggard, peaty, smoky and pulls no punches.  It comes from a small island on the southeast side of Scotland.  The island is windblown and few if any trees grow in the soil that’s mostly peat.  It’s this peat and environment that give Islay whiskys their distinct flavor. 

Corryvreckan from Ardbeg is named for a whirlpool off the coast near the distillery.  Here it is by the numbers. 

• Cost: $79 here in Maine,  but markets vary and it isn’t distributed in all parts of the US yet.
• Made: Ardbeg, Islay Scotland 
• Proof: 114 proof (57%ABV)
• Mash bill:  100% malted barley. Dried with the smoke of peat logs. 
• Age: No Age Statement (NAS) Those Scot’s can keep a secret that’s for sure.
• Color: Light Amber

Nose: If you are expecting some sweet candy, vanilla. You’re in for a rude awakening this nose is aggressive, it’s smoke, brine, iodine but if you can get past that it’s got a great bacon smell, cloves with hints of black raspberries. 

Taste: Have you ever chewed a bandaid?  I know it sounds disgusting but somehow it’s not. Get past the bandaid and, salty, bacon, nori, with deep peppery notes and fresh black coffee. 

Finish: Long, very long, dark chocolate, and coffee. 

This is one I can’t explain, it shouldn’t be good, but damn if I don’t keep coming back to it.  It’s actually become a reluctant favorite.