Ardbeg – Ardcore Ardbeg Day 2022 (70cl, 46%)

This is Ardbeg Ardcore, the 2022 Ardbeg Day release. It is a smoky, rich single malt made with black malt, bottled at 46% in a 70cl bottle. The black malt is heavily roasted in closely monitored kilns at very high temperatures, which gives the whisky its character. The nose has toast and marmite, coffee grounds, garden herbs, bonfire smoke, charcoal and sticky molasses. The palate brings cocoa powder, dark chocolate, peanut brittle, toffee, aniseed, barbecued lime, soot and malty biscuits, which linger into the finish.