Our reporters on Islay, the Lindores Boys, had mixed feelings about these two ‘new oak’ casks that were bottled for Feis Ile 2009. Time for us to try them as well. Colour: full gold. Nose: vanilla and ginger all over the place plus hints of quinces, cough syrup, coconut and banana liqueur. Quite some camphor as well after a few minutes, tiger balm… Much less ‘Ardbeg’ than all the previous ones, and very, very modern and bourbonny. The peat doesn’t even have much to say here. It’s pleasant but it’s not Ardbeg. With water: doesn’t work at all, it became very flat, with notes of vegetables. Cooked salad and paper. A very nice Ardbegness in the background but it just won’t make it through. Mouth (neat): a liqueur, or smoked bourbon? Very strange, imagine a mixture of coconut oil, salmiak and honey. Thick mouth feel. With water: it’s okay now. More dryness, some putty, marzipan… Finish: rather long but a tad indefinite, between coconut and diesel oil. Comments: these casks were experiments. As long as they remain experiments, we’re all fine (just an opinion of course). Seriously, it’s very fine whisky but call me a traditionalist if you like, coconut plus Ardbeg just don’t do it for me.

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