Ardbeg Uegeadail and Corryvreckan Reviews

Ardbeg releases Uegeadail and Corryvreckan annually. The Uegeadail is primarily ex-sherry barrel and ex-bourbon barrels blended while the Corryvreckan is matured in a raw mixture of French Oak casks and Burgundy wine casks. In this way, these are peated scotches with opposing views on texture. One is dry and cinnamon spice forward, the other is zesty and peppery. Both are delicious.

Yes, these are no-age statement whiskies, and yes they're expensive. The "Internet feels" the aging on these whiskies is being shortened, and they're moving toward the youthful side year after year. At nearly double or more than the Ardbeg 10, these whiskies build expectation. At the same time, both deliver in flavour and complexity and continue to push the flavours I'm looking for at this price point (around $100 US for most parts of the world).

With these two peated scotches the payoff is there. Sure, you're paying the same you might for some eighteen year-old whiskies, but you're also buying barrel-proof whisky. It's not for everyone, as some prefer their scotch closer to 40% ABV. However, at these proof-points the barrel maturation complexity really comes through. Both releases are excellent examples of Ardbeg at its best for an audience that wants high-proof peated scotch.

Ardbeg Uegeadail
Ardbeg Distillery
Taste Score: 95
Category: Single Malt Scotch, NAS, Peated, Cask Strength
Whisky Cabinet Score: ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

Nose: Oyster brine. Oil from a cooling pan. Citrus. Brown sugar. Vanilla. Soda. Ginger. Dried fruit. Motor oil. All this is surrounded by a wonderful smouldering peat fire. 

Palate: Wonderful combination of dry fruits, smokiness, and spice. It's a dry dark whisky. Those medicinal notes are brought out in this high-proof power house. There are some lighter notes, such as vanilla, cinnamon, and peppery spice. The finish goes on and on, with citrus and dried fruit lightly burning over a dry spicy chaotic fire. 

Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Ardbeg Distillery
Taste Score: 94.5
Category: Single Malt Scotch, NAS, Peated, Cask Strength
Whisky Cabinet Score: ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

Nose: Peat and melted caramel sweetness hits you to start. Beautifully sweet. Dusty barnyard. Burnt zest. Dusting of freshly ground coffee, notes of leather, and some lighter vanilla and nutmeg. 

Palate: Opposite of the nose. Dark warm toffee start. Wood spice. Mixture of salty brine simmering over a simmering fire on a wet fall day. So much zesty pepperiness it almost hurts, complimented by sweeter cinnamon spice. Tongue numbing to the finish. That pepperiness hangs around for days along with dark fruit and oily dark chocolate. The funky nature of this whisky on the palate is incredibly rewarding. 

*Whisky Cabinet Rating Explained:
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆  Not recommended
★ ☆ ☆ ☆  Good whisky, but not a ‘must-have’
★ ★ ☆ ☆  Your great regular rotation whisky that'll come and go
★ ★ ★ ☆  Excellent, a near must-have
★ ★ ★ ★  Extraordinary, memorable, and original