Ardbeg – 8 Years For Discussion (70cl, 50.8%)

This is an eight-year-old Islay single malt from Ardbeg, bottled at 50.8% in a 70cl bottle. The nose opens with charcoal, creosote, tar and toffee, followed by fennel, celery and green pepper, then milk chocolate, aniseed and wood smoke. A little water brings out herbal notes of fennel, coriander and lavender, with a brief, fresh, salty sea spray. The palate is peppery and tingling, with soft toffee, aniseed, salted caramel chocolate, eucalyptus and menthol. The sweetness is overlaid by charcoal, smoked bacon, burnt toast and tar.