Uigeadail

[cowdery]

At an event last night that I've written about elsewhere in another context, we tasted some Ardbeg Uigeadail. This is an unfiltered, 108.4 proof single malt named for Loch Uigeadail, the source of the distillery's water. (Ardbeg is on Islay.) This stuff is as flavorful and unsubtle as any bourbon. Very strong smoke scent, and smoke not char. When the presenter, Karen Fullerton, suggests adding water she describes what dilution does for the spirit as "like charming a snake out of its basket."

I had tasted this same spirit in the Spring at another event and it didn't make much of an impression on me. It sure did this time. All of the Ardbegs, including the Uigeadail, seem to have a cleaner finish than most single malts, which is something I like about them.

[Bamber]

I could not agree more. Ardbeg holds true to bourbon principles - no additives, high strength and pure, robust flavours. If EW SB is the Scotch drinkers Bourbon, then Ardbeg might be the Bourbon drinkers Scotch. Last night I actually had an Ardbeg 10 and an Uigeadail after a couple of my favourte Bourbons. They got on famously. It is no coincidence that JM mentions Ardbeg in the same breath as WT and Buffalo Trace. For me it is the ultimate Scottish distillery.

[musher]

Does the fact that Ardbeg is owned by a bourbon distiller have anything to do with it? Probably not, but it is an interesting bit of trivia.

[wrbriggs]

I can't get the Uigeadail where I am, but I can get the Ardbeg 10yr 92 proof bottling. I am not a huge scotch drinker, but I'm always open to trying new things... is this worth picking up?

[chasking]

Ardbeg 10-year-old is one of the great malts of the world, but I haven't seen it sold at 92 proof. Is it a distillery bottling, or is it from an independent bottler? If it's an independent there is a greater chance that it is from an "off" cask, although a reputable independent is probably a safe bet. I don't think you can go wrong with an Ardbeg put out by the distillery. Even if you don't like it, having a bottle of it will impress any malt snobs who may come to dinner.

[cowdery]

Ardbeg is still owned by Glenmorangie. Both brands are distributed by Brown-Forman in the U.S., but Brown-Forman doesn't own them...yet.

[cowdery]

I can confirm that the 10-year-old, 92 proof is a distillery bottling. We were supposed to taste it the other night but they substituted Uigeadail instead. I can't speak directly to the 10-year-old expression. I tasted it in the Spring but don't know where my notes are. However, I'm certainly warming to the distillery itself, so would be willing to try pretty much any of its products. For bourbon drinkers who find most malts too wimpy, Ardbeg could make you a believer.

[greenbob]

I am not a huge scotch drinker, but I'm always open to trying new things... is this worth picking up?

I would like to add a word of caution about Ardbeg 10. I admit that I like Talisker a whole lot better than Ardbeg 10, and I guess that puts me at odds with others here. But the fact remains that Ardbeg 10, with something like 55 ppm, has the greatest peat concentration of any single malt scotch. This is extreme stuff. Unfortunately the Ardbeg 17 is no longer available because of the cut back in single malt production in the mid-1980's.

If you are not a huge scotch drinker, I would recommend working up to Ardbeg 10. If, for example, one was not a bourbon drinker, I might recommend Bruichladdich which is an Islay with not that much peat. If you're used to heavy bourbons then why not start out with Talisker? I think you're taking a risk with Ardbeg 10.

That's just my opinion. Others obviously disagree.

[musher]

Ardbeg is still owned by Glenmorangie. Both brands are distributed by Brown-Forman in the U.S., but Brown-Forman doesn't own them...yet.

So sorry. I misunderstood the information on the b-f web site to mean that they owned it. They sure make it appear that way.

[cowdery]

If industry skuttlebutt is to be believed, they will own it when all is said and done. It is for sale and they are the most logical buyers.

[TNbourbon]

LVMH bought Glenmorangie last month -- for 300M Pounds. Diageo, by the way, has a 34% stake in LVMH.

[tdelling]

> I would like to add a word of caution about Ardbeg 10. I admit that I like

> Talisker a whole lot better than Ardbeg 10, and I guess that puts me at odds

> with others here. But the fact remains that Ardbeg 10, with something like 55

> ppm, has the greatest peat concentration of any single malt scotch.

If one is averse to peat, I find the Aberlour Abunadh to be a good stepping

stone from bourbon to scotch. It's big and deep and strong and manly without

having to resort to peat to achieve this.

I've had a few conversations along the lines of

me: "Do you like scotch?"

vicitm: "I don't like peat!"

me: "Might I interest you in a blind tasting of something interesting?"

Tim Dellinger

[pepcycle]

Definition of Incongruos:

a good stepping stone from bourbon to scotch.

[voigtman]

Heard not nong ago that Glenmorangie PLC (owns Ardbeg, Glenmorangie, and Glen Moray), was bought by a French outfit famous for cognac, name escapes me. Strongly agree with comments about Ardbeg 10: wonderful single malt. The Ardbeg Uigeadail grows on you. Initially, I thought the peat levels were too low and sherry levels too high, but, like I said, it grows on you. Of all the Ardbegs I've tried, the Ardbeg 10 is best overall. Try the Ardbeg 10: it's only $36 in NH and well worth it! Cheers, Ed V.

[cowdery]

There you go. Presumably Brown-Forman's distribution agreement is unchanged, however. It could be B-F is planning or positioning itself for something involving Ardbeg distinct from Glenmorangie, as that seems to be what they are aggressively promoting.

[cowdery]

From CNN.com, 10/21/04

PARIS, France (AP) -- French luxury goods company LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis said Wednesday it plans to buy whisky maker Glenmorangie PLC for about £300 million (euro430.5 million, US$541 million).

Glenmorangie chief executive Paul Neep hailed the deal as "great news for the company, our brands and employees."

"As part of LVMH, we will continue to develop and grow our premium brands in their key markets," Britain's Press Association quoted him as saying.

Glenmorangie put itself up for sale in August. French company Pernod Ricard SA withdrew from the bidding earlier Wednesday, leaving LVMH as the preferred suitor. LVMH will launch its formal offer over the next 28 days, through its Moet Hennessy arm.

Glenmorangie, founded in 1893, is the world's sixth-largest Scotch-whisky producer by volume and makes single malts Glenmorangie, Glen Moray and Ardbeg.

For LVMH, the deal marks only its second venture outside wines and cognac. It bought control of the Belvedere premium vodka brand in 2001.

As well as premium champagne brands like Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon and Krug, LVMH's 14-label drinks stable includes Hennessy cognac and new world wines like Cloudy Bay.

"Glenmorangie is a whisky of very great quality, a growing brand, led by a strong team. It will have its place alongside Moet & Chandon, Hennessy and our other prestigious brands," said Moet Hennessy chairman Christophe Navarre. "We have a fine future together."

The home of brands from Dior to Tag Heuer, LVMH is the world's biggest luxury goods maker by revenue. The Paris-based company's drinks division has traditionally been its second-biggest profit generator behind its star brand, the Louis Vuitton shoes, bags and leather goods maker.

A spokesman said LVMH hopes to have the acquisition completed by Christmas.

[Bamber]

If one is averse to peat, I find the Aberlour Abunadh to be a good stepping stone from bourbon to scotch. It's big and deep and strong and manly without having to resort to peat to achieve this.

Tim Dellinger

Absolutely - one of the biggest Scotches around, 120 proof, sweet, flavour packed and peatless.

[DavidNelson]

Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming release of "Very Young Ardbeg" too. This was originally a Committee (Ardbeg fan club) release, but it went over well enough to become a general release. Cask strength, no filtering or coloring. Its spirit from after the restart in (IIRC) 1997 when, believe it or not, they raised the peating level even higher.

I was lucky enough to get my two bottles of the Committee release and it is an intense ride - I'll post a proper note one of these days, but the nose is an incredible essense of peat, complete with iodine and smoke and a Springbank-like salinity. Malt comes out on the palate, and its enough to balance the peat but barely. Lingers seemingly forever on the finish. Makes the 10 y.o. seems positively polished. Cracking good fun.

Cheers,

Dave

[charred283]

Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming release of "Very Young Ardbeg" too.

I know this was released in the U.K., but has anyone heard anything about this being released in the U.S.?

[Bamber]

It's a limited release (and a really good whisky !), so I doubt you'll see it in the US. You could order it from thewhiskyexchange.com but its not *that* good. I believe Ardbeg plan to release a 7YO, 8YO and 9YO in subsequent years to track progress to their 10YO.

To be honest, if you can get the 10YO, go for that. It is the distillery managers favourite and many Scotch drinkers desert island whisky.

[charred283]

Thanks for your comments.

It's a limited release (and a really good whisky !), so I doubt you'll see it in the US.

That's the impression I'd gotten as well. Fortunately, there's plenty of the 10 year old and Uigeadail available locally. Personally, I think the 10 YO is better balanced and perfect for everyday drinking, but there's no denying the power and complexity in the Uigeadail. Both are great whiskies.

Cheers,

John

[Vange]

The A'Bunadh is one of my favorite scotches to date. Especially for sub $55! I have heard all good things about the Uigeadail. I have one question though. If you had to compare it to another scotch, would it be more like a macallan 18, lagavulin 16, or a'bunadh?

I am NOT a big fan of overly peaty single malts like the lagavulin, but I really love the a'bunadh and macs. Will I like the Uigeadail?

[dougdog]

If you had to compare it to another scotch, would it be more like a Macallan 18, Lagavulin 16, or A'bunadh?

You will probably find it more like the Lag...

Ardbeg is arguably the smokiest, peatyest 10yo out there...just ask Dane!

[CrispyCritter]

I'd also say it would be closest to the Lagavulin. It isn't as intensely peaty as Ardbeg 10, and some of the whisky in the vatting is older stock that was matured in sherry casks.

If you're a peat fan, it's wonderful. In Chi-town, it's about $2 more than Lagavulin 16, but unlike the Laga, it's cask-strength.

[DrinkyBanjo]

It is an Islay so Lagavulin would be the closest out of the ones you mentioned.

That said it is wicked, wicked stuff. If you like Islay malts and you like 'em cask strength this will be your new friend.