Ardbeg – 25 Year Old Limited Edition Islay Single Malt Whisky (2020) (70cl)

This is a 25-year-old Islay single malt from Ardbeg, released in 2020 in a 70cl bottle. It is the oldest whisky in the distillery's core range, bottled from casks filled during some of the distillery's darkest days. After a quarter of a century the whisky is full-bodied and powerful, and still smoky. The nose has smoked cream, peppermint and toffee, with fennel, pine resin, distant bonfires, banana and candle wax. The palate is peppery and vibrant, with sherbet lemon, candied apple, pear, orange, carbolic soap, tar and aniseed. The finish is long and mellow, with cream, fudge and delicate antiseptic notes.