Ardbeg – 13 Years Anthology The Harpy's Tale (70cl, 46%)

This is Ardbeg Anthology The Harpy's Tale, a 13 year old Islay single malt bottled at 46% in a 70cl bottle. It is the first release in a series of experimental single malts from unusual casks. Half of the whisky spent 13 years in a French Sauternes sweet wine cask and the other half 13 years in an ex-bourbon cask. Once married, strong peat smoke plays against sweeter notes. The nose is markedly oily, with olive oil, briar root, coriander, sage and smoked lemon zest. The palate is soft and oily, sweet and smoky, with molasses, aniseed sweets and smoked apricot. The finish is long and sweet-smoky, with cumin, cardamom and a little coconut.