Ardbeg – Trudernish 15 Year (75cl, 48.8%)

Ardbeg Trudernish 15 Year is a 15-year-old Islay single malt Scotch whisky bottled at 48.8% ABV. Named after Trudernish Point, the rugged headland near the distillery on Islay's southern coast, it brings extended maturation to Ardbeg's heavily peated spirit. Ardbeg was established in 1815 and uses heavily peated malted barley, typically around 55 ppm phenol, distilled through copper pot stills with a unique purifier on the spirit still. The nose opens with campfire smoke and tarry rope, then vanilla custard and lemon curd, with maritime air, iodine and dark chocolate beneath. The palate is rich and oily, with peat smoke over salted caramel and stewed orchard fruit, baking spice, espresso-roast bitterness and coastal minerality. The finish is long and warming, with smouldering embers, dried herbs, dark honey sweetness, a medicinal edge and black pepper.