Sunday, 20 April 2014

Tasted #85: Ardbeg Auriverdes (Gold bottle)

We covered the new Ardbeg 2014 special edition "Auriverdes" a few times this month, but at the time were eagerly awaiting our sample to arrive.


Well last week it arrived...and what a "sample" it was!

Expecting a ~50mL sample bottle, Steph and I were both blown away to discover our "sample" was in fact a full 700mL bottle of Auriverdes, in limited edition media-only (as we understand it) gold. Talk about a fantastic looking bottle.

Unfortunately that afternoon we were off on a long drive up the coast, so had to wait an eager few days before opening it - which we did this evening.

A bottle (and whisky) this special deserves special tasting notes, so Steph and I both sat down with it today to document our own, separate tasting notes.

Like the sounds of it? As we mentioned last week, join the committee and you could be tasting it at Ardbeg Day Australia 2014 on 31st May.



Martin's tasting notes: Ardbeg Auriverdes (49.9% ABV, NAS, Islay, Scotland, $135.70AUD)
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Colour: Yellow gold, rich, like a light bortrytis semillon.
Nose: Light smoke, pears, peaches, some apricots. Sweet, and slightly spirity.
Palate: Big smoke, but also very sweet. Sugarcane, banana bread, toast. Nutty.
Finish: Ashy smoke, but still sweet to the end. Medium to long finish.
Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 92/100. Very much an Ardbeg, but also very unique. A great mix of "sweet and smoky" (or a dram of two halves as the official notes explain it).


Steph's tasting notes: 
Ardbeg Auriverdes (49.9% ABV, NAS, Islay, Scotland, $135.70AUD)
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Colour: Deep rich gold.
Nose: Toasty vanilla, peat smoke.
Palate: Peat smoke, slightly sweet, vanilla and caramelised bananas.
Finish: Long, sweet honied smoke.
Rating (on Steph's very non-scientific scale): 91/100.


Cheers, 
 - Steph & Martin.

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