Ardbeg – An Oa Single Malt (70cl)

Ardbeg An Oa is an Islay single malt named after the Mull of Oa, the headland that shelters the distillery from Atlantic storms. It comes in a 70cl bottle. The spirit is matured in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, virgin charred oak and ex-bourbon barrels, then brought together in Ardbeg's Gathering Vat, a large French oak vessel. It keeps the distillery's peaty character and adds a creamy note. The nose pairs peat smoke with creamy vanilla, dark chocolate, aniseed, toasted nuts and sea salt. The palate is smooth, with toffee, milk chocolate, gentle peat smoke, black pepper and clove in an oily texture. The finish is long, sweet and smoky, ending on a touch of medicinal peat.