Ardbeg – Ardcore Committee Release 2022 (70cl, 50.1%)

This is Ardbeg Ardcore, a 2022 Committee Release bottled at 50.1% abv in a 70cl bottle. It is made with roasted black malt barley, a first for Ardbeg. The malt defines the character here, with the roasting taken to an extreme. The nose is spicy and savoury, with marmite, burnt toast, chicory, charcoal and coffee grounds, plus Ardbeg's herbal top note and bonfire smoke. The palate is fiery, with cocoa, dark chocolate, peanut brittle, smoked lime, aniseed and malty biscuit. The finish is long and sweeter, with treacle toffee, soot and smoke.