If there’s one distillery on Islay that is guaranteed to invoke discussion, it’s Ardbeg. From its unfortunate history in the 1980’s and ‘90’s; to the brand’s vibrant, fun and cheeky personality of today; to the Ardbeg Committee and the special members-only Committee Releases, Ardbeg is a whisky that every drinker has something to say about. The new Ardbeg 8yo For Discussion, which is available via https://ardbegcommittee.com.au, has been released to trigger discussion amongst Ardbeg Committee members, and it’s a discussion worth having. So what is it that we’re talking about?
The Ardbeg 8yo For Discussion is a new members-only Committee Release, and it remains to be seen if it will join the core-range in Ardbeg’s gradually expanding portfolio. So, apart from the age statement of 8 years old, what is it that’s up for discussion? The answer is pretty interesting and prompts some exploration into Ardbeg’s flavour spectrum….
Ardbeg doesn’t say anything officially about the 8yo For Discussion’s maturation regimen on its website, but has advised through other channels and press releases that the 8yo has been matured in ex-sherry casks. The reason that’s of interest and significance is that the brand’s flagship expression – the Ardbeg 10yo – is renowned for being matured entirely in ex-bourbon casks. The 8yo For Discussion thus showcases a fascinating contrast to the release that would be most people’s touch point with the distillery.
Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, said that he was inspired to create the 8yo For Discussion to explore what a flagship version of Ardbeg might be like in an “alternative universe”.
Of course, sherry maturation isn’t new territory for Ardbeg per se – there have been sensational limited-edition, sherry-matured Ardbegs in the past (such as one or two of the Feis Ile and Ardbeg Day bottlings), and the core-range Ardbeg An Oa uses ex-Pedro Ximinez sherry casks in its recipe. However, an all-sherry matured age-statement whisky is a novel product for Ardbeg, and so the discussion is warranted.
So without further ado, let’s crack open a bottle and start discussing our thoughts. Whisky & Wisdom sat down with a bottle and spent some time getting to know it. Here are our thoughts….
Ardbeg 8yo – For Discussion, 50.8% ABV
Nose: Seaside coastal brine – seaweed on the beach and salty rockpools – gives way to a light peatiness that evokes strong hints of smoky seafood: Oysters Kilpatrick with a drop of Ardbeg 10yo, smoked salmon, teppanyaki prawn heads and the like. Anyone who’s been to the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar outside of Inveraray on their way to Islay will instantly be transported back there.
Palate: The mouthfeel is soft and silky, delivering an instant hit of sweet Ardbeg peat that captures a number of delicious and familiar Islay flavours: Smoke, sure, but also hints of pea and ham soup (reminiscent of Ardbeg El Diablo from a few years back); smoked salt (that morphs into salted caramel as the sweetness expands); kippers; and some fascinating dried spices – cumin, cardamom, star anise, and perhaps even a sprinkle of cinnamon. On repeat sips and visits, the dram gets sweeter and even ventures into confectionery territory with boiled fruit lollies.
Finish: Wonderfully consistent and long, the dram stays sweet and spicy without any signs of bitterness or astringency.
Comments: For a distillery whose reputation can sometimes (inaccurately) be associated with big, bombastic heavy-punching smoke bombs, the Ardbeg 8yo is exceptionally refined and sophisticated. It delivers the requisite peat and you’re left under no illusion as to where this is from. It fills not just the distance between the Ardbeg 5yo and 10yo in terms of an age statement, but also offers yet another spike on Ardbeg’s diverse flavour spectrum. There’s been a bit of chatter in some corners of the internet of this being a “lighter” version of Ardbeg, but when put head-to-head against the big and peaty 5yo, the 8yo For Discussion was no wallflower. And as for the sherry cask maturation? Aye, that’s what gives the dram its spice, bacon, and sweetness. Top marks again, Dr Bill.
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The Ardbeg 8yo For Discussion is available in select markets – check your local Ardbeg website for availability. For Australian Ardbeg Committee members, the Ardbeg 8yo For Discussion is available through the new Committee website at https://ardbegcommittee.com.au/ for the very reasonable price of $110 including GST. Get it while you can. And, of course, if you’re not already an Ardbeg Committee member, click on the link above and join the club. Yours truly has been a Committee member since 2003. You know what to do…..
Cheers,
AD
PS – did you know Whisky & Wisdom has a YouTube channel? If you’d like to check out our short video piece on Ardbeg’s 8yo, the link is here.
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Great review. I am waiting for my bottle of the 8 yr old to arrive, but just happened to open my last bottle of the Ardbeg 10yr yesterday.
Again, so impressed with it yesterday, I was in the process of buying another bottle of the Ten today. But on reading this, I might just order another ‘The Discussion’!
Any indication on the number of bottles released for this expression?
I’m afraid I’ve not been able to ascertain that information from anywhere just yet, Matt.