Ardbeg 1975 - Limited Edition

DESCRIPTION

Given the success and cult-like fan base that Ardbeg has recently enjoyed, it is almost impossible to image that the distillery was closed, on and off, for 15 years until it was purchased by Glenmorangie. Sitting on the southern coast line, the current distillery was founded in 1815, the original having been destroyed by excise men. The Ardbeg spirit still is fitted with a purifier which many believe accounts for its fruity, zesty character.

Released shortly after Glenmorangie took over at Ardbeg. The Ardbeg Online shop called it "fabulous, absolutely divine" with Michael Jackson (of whisky fame, not the singing and dancing one) scoring it a high 9 out of 10.

TASTING NOTES (by Whiskyfun.com)

Ardbeg 1975 bot. 2000 Tasting Notes (the one listed is 1999 bottling)

One of the bottles that did build Ardbeg’s legend. No, that wasn’t the 17 yo, not many people were caring for the 17 when it was on the shelves. Now this 1975 was not one of my favourites, but I did use to score it pretty highly (WF 90). But that was a long time ago, and I never wrote proper notes… Colour: Gold. Nose: certainly not the profile of modern Ardbeg. This is softer, sappier, with many more almondy notes (marzipan, amaretti) and a much wider phenolness. Embrocations and suntan lotions, engine oil, castor oil, light pitch, pu-erh tea (back on WF!), and above everything, camphor and eucalyptus. I believe it’s this tar plus camphor plus eucalyptus combination that used to appeal to so many whisky lovers ten or twenty years ago. Mouth: what strikes first is this tropical sweetness, not to be encountered in any modern Ardbegs, with mangos and grapefruits coated with tar and marmalade. What comes next is more ‘usual’, so ashes, tar, peat smoke, seashells (say clams), and lemon, plus a medicinal side. Antiseptic and turpentine. Big mouth feel given the strength, but that’s still a rather low strength. Finish: rather long, and that’s where the saltiness kicks in, together with citrons and lemons. Comments: what’s really superb in these batches is the fact that they were both powerful and complex. And very Ardbeggian. I seem to remember that the following batch, in 2001, had been less entrancing. SGP:457 - 91 points.

PRODUCT SUMMARY