Ardbeg – Uigeadail (70cl, 54.2%)

A no age statement Islay single malt that marries whisky from ex-bourbon casks with whisky from Oloroso sherry casks, including sherry butts. It is bottled at 54.2% in a 70cl bottle, without chill-filtering or added colour. The sherry is part of the maturation rather than a late finish, setting smoke beside sweet raisin. The name comes from Loch Uigeadail, the loch in the hills above the distillery that supplies Ardbeg's production water. The nose offers warm fruit cake, walnut oil and violet with sea air, cedar and pine needles, over smouldering coal smoke and oiled leather. The palate is full and coating, sweet at first, then winter spices and heavy smoke. The finish is very long, with raisin sweetness, mocha and smoke.