Ardbeg – 25 Year Old (70cl)

This is a 25 year old Ardbeg single malt from Islay, in a 70cl bottle. It is the oldest whisky in the Ardbeg core range. It was bottled from casks filled during some of the distillery's darkest days. The nose is pungent, with smoked cream, peppermint, toffee, fennel and pine resin, plus distant earthy bonfires, banana, tropical fruit and candle wax. The palate is hot and peppery, then sweet with sherbet lemon, candied apple, pear and orange, with carbolic soap, tar, toffee, aniseed and chilli. The finish is long and mellow, with cream, fudge and a delicate antiseptic note.