After having used plenty of virtual ink detailing how Ardbeg's Special Releases aren't particularly special, I decided to avoid reviewing these releases entirely after Blaaaaack. But five years later, an opportunity has arisen, unique enough for me to return to the world of Ardbeg's annual limited releases.
In 2023, 100 Ardbeg Committee members were selected to blindly taste several Ardbeg samples and provide tasting notes. Using these "Operation Smokescreen" replies and preferences, Dr. Bill Lumsden and master blender Gillian Macdonald crafted Eureka. I was not among the 100 tasters, but one of the Doctors Springbank was. As she (yes, she) told me about that taste-off back in 2023, beneath my curmudgeonly exterior a jealous heart beat. Then (fast-forwarding to late 2024) she received an extra sample of Eureka and gave it to me. Now that Eureka's secrets are out, I am going to taste the stuff.
Ownership: Glenmorangie Plc (owned by LVMH)
Region: Islay
Product: Eureka!
Age: NAS
Maturation and Malt: A mix of two elements. First, regular Ardbeg spirit aged in PX casks. Second, roasted malt Ardbeg spirit aged in bourbon casks.
Outturn: ?????
Bottling year: 2025
Alcohol by Volume: 52.2%
(thank you, Doctors Springbank!)
NEAT
The nose starts off young, in a good way, with barley eu-de-vie, yeast, and wet dog. Then the Ardbeg soot arrives, milking with milk chocolate, roses, and 1980s Old Spice aftershave. Two sides of the unique palate merge and separate and merge again. Side one is full of roasted things, like almonds, hazelnuts, chestnuts, and corn. Side two is...well...Westland Distillery's five malt mix, intensely malty with milk chocolate and french vanilla highlights. It finishes with the roasted nuts, soot, salt, and cashews.
DILUTED to ~46%abv, or ¾ tsp of water per 30mL whisky
The nose takes on more of a oceanic peaty style, full of seaweed and brine. Apple peels, roses, and milk chocolate await in the middle, and sweaty socks sneak into the background. Much changed and calmer, the palate offers peppery heat, cashew butter, milk chocolate, and good bitterness. It's less peaty as well. The finish mirrors the palate, with a little more malt.
WORDS WORDS WORDS
What an odd whisky, and I'm not sure if its two elements ever fully come together, but I like it. It's unlike any Ardbeg I've tried, so the Eureka successfully separates itself from the standard range. The Westland note had me doing a triple take. Perhaps that character comes from the roasted malt? The palate's nuttiness and the nose's youth boost it further. I'm not sure I could make it through a whole bottle of this, but I'd happily drink it again.
Availability - It rolled out two weeks ago. Unsure how quickly it's sold.
Pricing - ???
Rating - 85 (my 3rd highest score for an Ardbeg annual release)
