Ardbeg – Auriverdes Limited Edition 2014 (70cl, 49.9%)

Auriverdes is a 2014 limited edition Islay single malt from Ardbeg, launched for Ardbeg Day and bottled at 49.9% in a 70cl bottle. The name draws on the distillery itself: 'Auri' recalls the golden colour of the whisky and 'Verdes' the brand's green bottle. It is also a nod to the nickname of Brazil's football team, whose colours are green and gold. It matured in custom-made American oak casks given a special heat treatment. The nose shows herbs and leather with a touch of mocha. On the palate, coffee beans sit alongside smoked root vegetables, hot-smoked salmon and maple-smoked bacon. The finish holds a note of smoky vanilla.