Ardbeg – Discussion 8 Year Old Committee Release 2021 (70cl, 50.8%)

Ardbeg Discussion is an 8 year old Islay single malt from the 2021 Committee Release. It was distilled in 2013, matured in bourbon casks and some sherry casks, and bottled at 50.8% in a 70cl bottle. It is a smoky, sweet and deliberately challenging young whisky, meant to start discussion among Committee members. The nose opens with charcoal, caramel and tar, then fennel, celery and green pepper, followed by milk chocolate, aniseed and wood smoke. With water, herbal notes, coriander, lavender and a salty, maritime freshness appear. On the palate, pepper leads to soft toffee, aniseed, salted caramel chocolate, menthol and heather. Charcoal, smoked bacon, burnt toast and tar sit over sweet vanilla.