Ardbeg 5 Wee Beastie VS Ardbeg 10 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Round 3)

[@100puremustard5]

Great side by side! Love the 10, can't wait to try the 5. Regarding price, I just found an Ardbeg 10 gift box with the 50ml samplers of Corryvrecken and Uigeadal, bottled 2016, for $50!!! Gotta love the dusty bottles at the casual liquor store here in California.

[@gman5986]

Love the boxing match begining intro. Very entertaining Erik. Thanks for the review and comparison to Ardbeg 10

[@thefruitofuscolonialism5870]

I just got the Wee Bestie and am tasting it while watching. What I like about the 5 is that its got the meaty, peaty, leathery elements of the 10 but its got some juiciness at the same time. The 10 is great but it is much more dry, in my opinion. I just subscribed. Keep up the nice work. Cheers!

[@irontusk1862]

Drank a dram of both tonight and enjoyed~ Both are great Ardbeg expression, and I am an Oogie & Corry lover. Great review~

[@Kvs-vf9nt]

Well I looked online in my country it's 44 for the 5 and 49 for the 10.. So I will order some bottles off 10 too.

[@courtcomposer]

Love your reviews Erik.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

Glad you like them!

[@IC86]

This is a year after this video was posted. In my area (Atlanta GA USA), the Wee Beastie is priced slightly lower than the An Oa, and about $10 USD lower than the Ardbeg 10.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Crazy how good the Wee Beastie sounds. Odd that it is priced higher than the 10 in my market, but hopefully that will right itself and then I'll pick it up.

[@taylor315]

I’m new to Scotch and just tried the 10 for the first time and underneath all that peat and smoke I got peanuts.. like almost peanut butter is the 1st thing that popped out at me 😅 very nutty and woody notes over a white chocolate background and definitely some vegetal notes like moss. Not a lot of sweetness but so very good! I’m impressed and will definitely be keeping a bottle around!

[@jeremyburns7321]

I bought a bottle of the Wee Beastie at Total Wine in Houston today for $35, the 10 year is $50, so quite the difference

[@cliffnorman178]

What a great comparison series with your unique, entertaining and professional style. Ardbeg 10 is such a special dram. Hopefully will taste the 5yo at some time.

[@marknichollsphotography7804]

My interpretation of the 5 isn’t that it’s a young 10. It’s a young Uigeadail!

[@jch90z]

Thats it

[@matthewwright57]

I just picked up a Wee Beastie locally here in Austin for $35.

[@bryceyork]

Just found and bought the Beastie. It is a fun dram. Overall a nice addition to the Ardbeg collection. I agree with your pricing concerns. Makes me want to pick up another 10 before the prices go up.

[@erikguthrie8578]

I agree with your sentiments, have a half full and a back up of the 10, and this video makes me want to buy a case of the 10 and stick it in the basement lol

[@primewhisky]

Really appreciate these videos👍🏻

[@courtcomposer]

Excellent review. Thanks.

[@johng5710]

Ardbeg 5 is also non-chill filtered and I'm pretty sure it's natural color just by looking at it. Got my bottle for only $40.

[@AlReyn]

May be worth comparing both with a small drop of water to see what difference it makes, especially to the 5 year old with higher abv?

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

I've done that off screen, thanks.

[@AlReyn]

@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies I'd be interested to know your thoughts

[@alliancewhiskeybeerstarwar7941]

Oh, I love anything Ardberg!

[@danswank3378]

A great review it would be interesting for your perspective of blending the two and seeing what may happen.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

Funny you should say that because I tried combining them immediate after recording this video. GOOD STUFF!

[@danswank3378]

@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies like ralfy says your one of a kind blend. That is still a single malt

[@leojanuszewski1019]

I gotta try that mix!

[@markreyes5222]

Picked the 5 as an entry level Ardbeg for myself, but the store had the 10 for $1 more. I will definitely get the 10 next.

[@melchorsalayog6358]

Very nice introduction

[@slipfox392]

The Ardbeg 10 was my true intro to whisky honestly. Was only a month ago too. Itll always have a soft spot in my heart. Just got the Wee Beastie today and gotta say I love it. It's way more intense and smoky then the ten. Not at all worse I'd say. This month I'm also picking up a bottle of Corryvreckan because I've found that I really really love the peat and smokiness in Ardbeg so I'd love to try something cask strength from them. Thanks for making these videos. They're pretty helpful for people like me :)

[@albinomoa]

Ardbeg uigeadail is the one you must try, in my opinion this is the best ordinary Ardbeg you can shop for recent money. I’m collecting Ardbeg and I have over 40 different bottles and still I drink this whisky on regular basis. Regard from Sweden!

[@andylang5884]

Much bigger price difference here in western Canada. Wee Beastie is just under $70 and the 10 is just over $100 (plus 15% tax). Haven't tried the Wee Beastie wet, but plan on picking up a bottle soon (love all three Ardbegs I've tried so far).

[@raymondgarcia7615]

The 10 is always in my cabinet (it's in my top 5 go back to) but the 5 is pretty fantastic and definitely worth the price tag that's on it: by me (TX) the Wee Beastie goes for $35.99 and the 10 goes for $46.99. Like you I am a bit concerned about the 10 going up in price but I really hope it doesn't. They are definitely different animals and (for me at least) they are in 2 different price brackets. Ardbeg seems content with the roughly $10 gap between bottles eg: 5 = $36 10 = $47 An Oa = $55 Uigeadail = $67 Now I'm just crossing my fingers we get a few more bottles to the core line up to fill in that $10 gap between the Uigeadail and the $93 I have to pay for Corryvreckan. 😁

[@ninja36inc]

anyone know what warehouse pack has the sticker of the ten bottle on it out of the 3 releases ?

[@sachinkainth9508]

Nice review

[@Koby616]

I never had my own ardbeg bottle. I was thinking to start with 5 years old one. It's 10€ cheaper than the 10 one. I tried 10 and ugi. Ugi was great one. 10 was good too, but seemed more muted compared to ugi.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

I'd spend the 10€ and the the 10 year old.

[@Koby616]

@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies thanks for advice

[@wisgisipper6890]

I just payed $55 for the Wee Beastie (kind of hard to find too) but haven't tried it yet. The 10 is on sale at the moment and is going for $48 (normally $53) and the An OA is going for $60. I do like the 10 but I do see varying opinions on the Wee Beastie.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

I hear Ardbeg 10 sells for $100 in Canada which is about $75 in the USA.

[@wisgisipper6890]

@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies Funny, Wee Beastie is now available at $43 in PA.

[@stihlnz]

The 10year is a great dram, Quite agree ....I've drunk most of them, the 19 year, the yearly releases going way back ... but when I get to the 10 year old on special, its a bargain. The vertical tasting is a great thing, through all these.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

Doing comparisons is a great way to learn!

[@ftbuddy]

I didn't taste them side by side, but my impression is that the 10 is more "creamy", while the wee Beastie is more buttery, a little more rough (noticeable alcohol).

[@dbunce10]

The 10 is like an old mare, the Beastie's like a young stallion.

[@nickmarkham3743]

Ardbeg wee beastie is $45 in VA. Ardbeg 10 used to be $55, but now it is $60. An Oa is $57. Prices are rising for single malts around here. :( (Laphroaig select is 50 bucks, and the 10 year is 63! Highland park 12 is $60. . . Just madness, compared to some states. )

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

Ardbeg 10 used to be $46 here but now it is more like $50 - $55 so there has been a bump in prices in California too

[@leojanuszewski1019]

I cannot imagine that Ardbeg would replace its 10-year with Beastie (or anything else for that matter). The 10 is Ardbeg's flagship and the original classic. I DO however share your concern about the 10 becoming more expensive.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

The 10 year old has jumped up $10 in my neighborhood but I don't know if it is due to tariffs.

[@captain3d715]

Enjoyed that.

[@MyScottyboy1]

A bit late t o the party. sorry, but thanks for a really good analysis of the two. You may be right about the price hike for the 10yr old, as other distilleries seem to be producing quick young 'copies' marketed as the same but more 'teenage groovy cool, bang', whatever the current vernacular is, and charging the same price. Thank you Erik.

[@ftbuddy]

Aren't there tariffs right now?

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

ftbuddy yes, but a distillery or distributor can choose to absorb the cost and not pass it on to the consumer.

[@nathj8390]

In the UK the Wee Beastie is cheaper. I've gone straight for the 10 after the Wee Beastie.... Both great, but Wee Beastie slaps me in the face a little more. Maybe not as refined, but my preference is Wee Beastie (regardless of price)

[@bourbonryescotch1]

Totally unexpected I liked the Wee Beastie better then the Ten. Based on rationale I would have said that the Ten is the better one, but after a side by side tasting it flipped. Though the price of the Wee Beastie is hard to accept when compared to the Ten’s price. Any suggestions what other core range Ardbegs to explore when I like the Wee Beastie better than Ten?

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

DEFINITELY check out the Corryvreckan and Uigeadail - the BEST of Ardbeg's core range

[@bourbonryescotch1]

@Erik Wait Whisky Studies Thanks!

[@pross6525]

My Question is which of the Ardbeg has the most bang fot the Buck Between the 5 year and the 10 year?

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

The 10 year old has a higher quality/price ratio.

[@pross6525]

@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies Thank you i will definitely go with the ten year by any chance do you have any great Cigar recommendations with this Scottish Whiskey?

[@seandrewevery]

I picked up my Wee Beastie for $35 and the Ten for $47 in Texas.

[@ryotaryuu]

Love them both but I like the 5 just a little better.

[@EXORCISTIESOUSCHRISTOSNIKA]

I just got the ten year bottle for 62.00

[@revolvermaster4939]

Don’t care about the price, I definitely prefer the Wee Beastie!

[@WhiskyMystery]

Enjoyed it twice :-)

[@brendan3518]

Have you two got a bottle of this yet? If so, would love to see an Ardbeg lineup video!

[@stevebollinger]

The Beastie is $40 and the 10 year old is $60 in my area.

[@nickmarkham3743]

The wee beastie is $53 here in Virginia, and the 10 is $70!!! . . . An oa is $62. Laphroaig select is $50, and 10 is $63. . . Highland park 12 is 63 as well. Scotch is expensive.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

When I started in whisky in 2016 the Ardbeg 10 was under $50 in Californa.... and gas was under $3, now it is $6 a gallon!

[@xiamengbaby]

Both bottles sell at the same price in my area and so buying the 5 year old doesn't seem to make sense to me. In comparison, I can buy a Lagavulin 8 for half what it would cost me to buy the 16 and with 5% more ABV. In that case, I do pick up an 8 every now and then. It is different, bring younger and strictly ex bourbon aged, but I enjoy it. Actually, the 16 bottled at 43% is a shame, in my opinion.

[@michaelhassler7446]

Never had a Lagavulin 8, how does it compare to Ardbeg and Laphroaig 10?

[@welshtoro3256]

@@michaelhassler7446 Lagavulin 8 tastes like it's aged in knackered Diageo casks. You'd never believe colour had to be added because it's like straw. Colour was added though because those casks are crap. Ardbeg 10 is far superior and Laphroaig 10 is far cheaper.

[@xiamengbaby]

@@michaelhassler7446 A little less peat smoke, but still a definite Islay. Perhaps not as complex as the Lagavulin 16 as that one I guess is aged in sherry barrels I believe and the 8 in ex-bourbon barrels. Not as much of the brinyness medicinal notes of Laphroaig. You get smoke with some vanilla and light fruit sweetness. At 48% abv, it exceeds Ardbeg and Laphroaig 10 year olds, so a decent amount of oomph. I can get it in my area for a little less than those two, so makes a nice alternative to throw in the rotation. I'm no conoisseur, but it gets generally good reviews from the usual online suspects. If you can get it at a decent price in your area, pick up a bottle.

[@welshtoro3256]

If Diageo would ever increase the abv of Lagavulin 16 by 3% they would have a winner but they don't have to. It's sold in bars and restaurant's all over the world to people that aren't whisky geeks. Diageo makes its money from blends and a few scraps to the single malt world. The Lagavulin 8 had a crummy marketing pitch at the time as well as being 'Limited'. Ardbeg 10 and Port Charlotte 10 cost the same and are far better in my humble opinion.

[@TheCoutzi]

In Finland, the TEN is 68€ /75$ and Wee Beastie should come next week and it will be 59€/65$. Also the cheapest vodka is expensive, because the government wants to take care of the drunk people of Finland.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

The Wee Beastie is also non-chill filtered ...

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

Yes, NFC is standard practice of Ardbeg.

[@welshtoro3256]

This is the one I was waiting for and a good one too. Bottom line is I'm sure I'll find the Wee Beastie tasty and interesting. However, what are Ardbeg doing releasing this? It's almighty expensive for 5 year old whisky and is pretty much the same abv as the Ardbeg 10: as is the price. Many of us think the Uigeadail might not be much older than 5 years old but the 5 has a big bold age statement. Why so proud of a 5 year old age statement? Let's have a sensibly priced 12 or 15 but noooo, Dr Bill wont like that, especially as he can continue to flog overpriced annual NAS releases to the willing masses. Confession - I'm very fond of Ardbeg 10. It ticks all the right boxes. The price is okay as long as it never exceeds £50 when it becomes a very occasional buy rather than a permanent feature. If Ardbeg drop it they will loose the shred of credibility they have remaining for me which rests on this expression. I doubt the 5 will sell much after the initial purchase for curiosity. They've done the very cheapest thing they could do and carry the price tag. A tiny bit of sherry influence (it's five years old for crying out loud) and just over 46% abv. Ardbeg have plenty of stock to always keep the 10. Getting rid of it or putting up the price is suicide. Look how popular the An Oa is. They need some quality in the core range and the Wee Beastie is a backward step for me. They'd be better off making sure the Corry and Ugi stop diminishing. Cheers Erik. WT

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

The reaction to the Ardbeg Wee Beastie is all over the map. Some people love it and some are disappointed by it. I just hope they don't screw with any of the other core range bottles.

[@welshtoro3256]

@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies I guess that's what I was trying to say lol.

[@vintageswiss9096]

Ardbegs mash bill drinks much better young. The 5 year old is the highest taste concentrations, and the older you get, the more you lose. A 5yr cask strength would be their best release, imo.

[@jimidrammer4187]

Wee Beastie is probably being positioned to push the Ten price upward, the owners know it's been a bargain too long.

[@welshtoro3256]

It's not a bargain though. It's a 10 year old whisky and already priced just above what it should be. Springbank 10 is cheaper as is Kilckerran 12, Bunnahabhain 12 and many others. I love it and the one of the reasons I do is because the price is reasonable. If they push the price up I'll just buy something else.

[@welshtoro3256]

@sneksnekitsasnek They cost the same in Britain but both distilleries are on my naughty list. Both been seeing how far they can take the piss for a few years. Ardbeg Committee releases (£300 in the U.K) and the Day release (£100) are sheer exploitation and ridiculous. It pains me to say it but Springbank are just as bad.

[@welshtoro3256]

@sneksnekitsasnek British slang for 'going too far', 'exploiting us', 'taking us for granted', etc..

[@flying_hussar3034]

10yo still solid ha!

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

If Finlaggan and other mystery malts can be sold for under $25, then I don't see why Ardbeg 5 couldn't be sold at 43% for under $30-35, which would've made more sense to me; but I'm not in the whisky business.

[@welshtoro3256]

Don't have to be in the whisky business to have an opinion Chris. I think you make a very good point. Wee Beastie should be less abv and a lot cheaper or 50% for the current price. I also agree about the mystery malts. Smokehead and illeach and a number of Williamson expressions are releasing cracking good stuff for the money. Check out the Old Ballantruan range as well. Seriously good peated Speyside whisky. The NAS is 50% abv and £10 cheaper than this and the 10, also 50% is the same price.

[@justinmaizeblue]

Ardbeg is definitely bringing out the 5 at the same price of the 10. I guarantee you the 10 will jump by 10-15 dollars.

[@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies]

I hope not!

[@brendan3518]

@@ErikWaitWhiskyStudies I hope not too, but I wouldn't be surprised, Honestly the Ardbeg 10 at $50 is surely one of the best values in Scotch at the moment. I can't think of anything that's better value. It's a giant slayer in head-to-heads or blind tastings.

[@michaelhassler7446]

Yes, I prefer the Ardbeg 10 to the Laphroaig 10, and especially when you have the price point. The Lagavulin 16 I prefer taste, but it's not a fair comparison after aging 6 more years, and it costs damn near twice as much.

[@joeappleton6849]

Ardbeg 5 is little better than ten minutes ardbeg 10