Ardbeg – An Oa (70cl, 46.6%)

Ardbeg An Oa is an Islay single malt from the Ardbeg distillery, part of its core range and bottled at 46.6% in a 70cl bottle. Ardbeg's peat smoke is joined by a soft sweetness and warm spice. The whisky is made by marrying spirit matured in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, heavily charred virgin oak casks and ex-bourbon casks in a purpose-built vessel called the Gathering Vat. The sherry casks add rich, sweet fruit, while the charred oak gives warmth and depth. The nose combines peat smoke with toffee, caramel, aniseed and dates. On the palate come dark chocolate, toffee, aniseed and orange, and the finish is long and intense, with peat, chocolate and spiced wood.