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

Ardbeg Wee Beastie is a 5 year old Islay single malt, the youngest bottling in the Ardbeg core range. It is matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 47.4% without chill filtration. It is kept deliberately direct and smoky, with peat smoke, tar, pepper, herbs and savoury notes, plus vanilla, chocolate and a light sherry sweetness. The nose shows herbs, black pepper, pine resin, tar, creosote, smoked bacon, vanilla and pear. On the palate come strong smoke, chocolate, tar, smoked bacon, eucalyptus and aniseed. The finish is long and salty, with cocoa, fudge, smoke and savoury notes.