Ardbeg – Wee Beastie 5 Year Old (70cl, 47.4%)

This is a five-year-old Islay single malt from Ardbeg, in a 70cl bottle at 47.4%. It was matured for those five years in ex-bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry casks. The name comes from Scots Gaelic, where wee means small. It is intensely smoky, with black pepper, tar and savoury meat, and the colour is light gold. The nose is fresh and herbal, with vanilla, pear, freshly ground black pepper, glazed ham, strong Turkish coffee and pine resin. The palate is bold, with chocolate, tar, creosote and smoked bacon, then medicinal lozenges, eucalyptus and aniseed. The finish is long and salty, with cocoa, fudge and savoury meat.