Ardbeg Almost There 1998 – 2007 3rd Release (70cl, 54.1%)

This is a cask strength Islay single malt from Ardbeg, distilled in 1998 and bottled in 2007 at 54.1% in a 70cl bottle. It is the third release in The Peaty Path to Maturity, a series of young Ardbeg malts, and it is described as a heavily peated whisky at around nine years old. It is a limited edition and is not chill-filtered. The nose brings citrus, clove, smoke, sand and sea air, damp peat, stale tobacco smoke and wild heather honey. On the palate there is smoky bitter chocolate and damp peat, with intense citrus fruit, acidity and sweetness, while warming smoke blends into caramel. The finish is long, with peat smoke and Ardbeg's sweetness, then burnt rubber and burnt earth, caramel and more smoke.