Ardbeg Very Old 2003 (Distilled 1977) / 46% / 0.7l
- Apparently more than a few barrels of Ardbeg whisky distilled in 1977 were included in the contract between Glenmorangie plc and Allied Domecq.
Product description
It appears that the stock included in Ardbeg's sale and purchase agreement included more than a few casks of 1977 distilleries.
Glenmorangie based their Vintage edition on these, which was released between 2001 and 2004; each batch consisted of around 2,400 bottles. The whisky was matured in white American oak barrels and bottled unfiltered, at 46% ABV. Ardbeg 1977 Vintage was a multi-award winner, with Jim Murray awarding it 96 points out of a possible 100.
Nose: incredibly rich, creamy with a strong fruity note, milk fudge, vanilla, orange peel, a pinch of cinnamon and a distant breath of peat bogs.
Taste: beautifully balanced, oranges, peaches, chocolate with dried fruit, a pinch of sweet spices and delicate peat smoke.
Finish: medium long, rather mild, honey sweetness complemented by oak bitterness and a delicate note of peat.