Ardbeg – Alligator (51.2%)

Alligator is an Ardbeg Islay single malt named for the heavily charred new American white oak barrels it is matured in, whose staves take on an alligator-skin look. The result is then blended with Ardbeg 10 Year Old and aged for another year in refill casks. It is bottled at 51.2% and is non-chill-filtered. The nose has the deep smokiness of Ardbeg 10, with tangy barbecue sauce, cocoa and ginger, along with sweet caramel, tropical fruit and a touch of pine. On the palate there is more leather and smoke, with chewy oak, spicy ginger and caramel nougat. The finish is long and smooth, ending on a hint of sweet chocolate.