Ardbeg – An Oa (70cl, 46.6%)

Ardbeg An Oa is a single malt from Islay, named after the Oa peninsula in the south of the island. It was the first Ardbeg malt since 2009 intended to stay in the range permanently, and it is bottled at 46.6%. The spirit matured in three kinds of cask: Pedro Ximénez, fresh oak and ex-bourbon, and the different distillates were married in a gathering vat. It is gentle rather than rough, with a light saltiness and seaweed that keep its Islay character. The nose is lightly fruity with gentle smoke, toffee and aniseed, then cinnamon, vanilla and a sea breeze. The palate is soft and smooth, sweet and chocolatey, before cold smoke. The finish is soft, with oak and a background of ginger.