Ardbeg – Alligator Exclusive Committee Reserve (70cl, 51.2%)

Ardbeg – Alligator Exclusive Committee Reserve is a whisky from Ardbeg (Islay). Bottled at 51.2% ABV, 70cl. Since its establishment in 1815, The Ardbeg distillery has been on a tumultuous rollercoaster ride of ownership changes, closures, and reopening. Stability was only achieved relatively recently, when the ailing distillery was purchased in 1997 by industry giants, Glenmorangie. The subsequent years have seen the distillery’s popularity swell, with fans enticed by the signature style of tarry, sooty smoke, balanced against citric sweetness and an oily mouthfeel. While Ardbeg still retains its distinctive personality, it has definitely been influenced by Glenmorangie’s propensity for experimenting with cask finishing, and (dare we say it) NAS expressions. Alligator Committee Reserve: The Alligator is so called because the charring pattern on the American white oak resembles the scales on an alligator. This bottling was released in limited numbers to members of the Ardbeg Committee, for discussion prior to going on general release, meaning examples of this wonderful dram are increasingly thin on the ground. Please examine the images of the bottle.