Ardbeg – 1975 11 Year Old (Bottled 1986) Duthie for Corti Brothers Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (75cl, 43%)

This is a 1975 Ardbeg, distilled on Islay and bottled in 1986 at 11 years old by R.W. Duthie & Co. It is bottled at 43%, in a 75cl bottle, and was selected by Darrell Corti for Corti Brothers of Sacramento. The nose opens with lemon and oysters, then moves to marzipan, diesel oil, broken branches and ashes. On the palate, smoky fudge gives way to peat smoke, pepper, chilli, liquorice wood, salt and bitter almonds, with an oily texture. The finish is long, ashy and smoky, with smoked fish at the end.