tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post1791918175192960731..comments2024-03-16T11:28:41.525-04:00Comments on Diving for Pearls: Seven Ardbeg Tens, 2000-2016 – The Taste OffMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02288790197865570681noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-48143798945351557092017-11-12T13:36:48.515-05:002017-11-12T13:36:48.515-05:00Hi Clive. Thanks for your questions.
It's fas...Hi Clive. Thanks for your questions.<br /><br />It's fascinating you've found a darker tinted Ardbeg 10. The Ten is usually very light in color. A darker color will come from either caramel colorant or more active casks. Since Ardbeg doesn't add colorant (I think) to the Ten, then that extra shading probably came from some richer bourbon barrels.<br /><br />Regarding your tasting notes, I've found that recent Ardbeg 10s have been losing the balance and complexity earlier bottings once had. So one tends to find a lot of bitter sour soot.<br /><br />Since you've tried three bottles of the stuff and you're not digging it, you may want to spend £€$ on something else. As much as some of us complain that Talisker 10 isn't as good as it used to be, it's still good whisky, and I recommend it over their Dark Storm, Storm, Skye, etc. Bowmore's official bottlings leave much to be desired, but their 10 year old cask strength Tempest batches tend to be quite good. If you're looking for a lot of Islay peat, Lagavulin 8 isn't bad and I'm always a fan of Port Charlotte.<br /><br />Hope this helps. Cheers!Diving for Pearlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02373371259792882112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-22896582261515762562017-11-10T19:21:23.910-05:002017-11-10T19:21:23.910-05:00Pearl, do you have any idea what a darker color, n...Pearl, do you have any idea what a darker color, no balance, bitter austry like ardbeg 10 would suggest? Generally 10 reviews including current will say pale straw, balance,. etc. If this is a rare pass thing I'll try again as a Green bottle.<br /><br />These were L13 323 L13 241 L12 011. A few rare comments will pop up online (e.g malt masters). But it's rare. My store has a 666...2016 batch and a L67554 9/2/2017. ??? Are there other islay's more reliable? Laphriog 10 had not been a problem. I've never had a Talisker or Bowmore. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-55742373579614925012017-01-11T10:55:32.242-05:002017-01-11T10:55:32.242-05:00Regarding Ardbeg 10yo vs Machir Bay, I now agree. ...Regarding Ardbeg 10yo vs Machir Bay, I now agree. The state of Ohio had the 10yo on sale for $46 last month, which really helped motivated these posts. At $46 it's not bad, but I think its quality has slipped behind Laphroaig 10 (at about the same price). But overall, I'd rather give my money to Kilchoman than either LVMH or Beam.<br /><br />I've tried the 2016 10yo up against all of the Ardbegs I'm reviewing this week and its really not improving. I agree they're likely shoving everything out the door ASAP, though with this batch it seems like they're having some issues with the casks or warehouse too.Diving for Pearlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02373371259792882112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-17529828785484046012017-01-10T00:55:27.117-05:002017-01-10T00:55:27.117-05:00After putting Ardbeg 10 Year and Kilchoman Machir ...After putting Ardbeg 10 Year and Kilchoman Machir Bay side by side I've never been able to convince myself that the former is worth the money in its current form. It's possible that Ardbeg's current spirit could be good with enough age and care, but right now they're just shoving whatever they can out the door.Jordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06448702693643593156noreply@blogger.com