Ardbeg – 25 Years (70cl, 46%)

Ardbeg 25 Years is a 25 year old Islay single malt, bottled at 46% in a 70cl bottle and sold in a box. It joins the Ardbeg range as a permanent addition. The whisky comes from casks filled during some of the distillery's darkest days. Age has not tamed the smoke, which sits alongside complex, balanced flavours. The nose offers smoked cream, peppermint and toffee, with fennel, pine resin, distant bonfires, banana, tropical fruit and candle wax. On the palate a lively peppery bite gives way to lemon sorbet, candied apple, pear and orange, with carbolic soap, tar, aniseed and chilli. The finish is long and soft, with cream, fondant and light antiseptic notes.