Ardbeg Core Range, Which is BEST? | The Whiskey Dictionary

Ardbeg has an amazing core range with, well, range! Let's figure out which one deserves our worship!
0:00 - Intro & Stats
2:06 - Round 1
8:10 - Round 2
14:25 - Round 3
16:35 - Round 4
18:25 - The Winner!
18:52 - A Request
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[@nickgerula]

Hey Bill, liked this core line up format. Would like to see you tackle more lineups in the future.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Nice! Sure will

[@EnginerdBrian]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary agreed. Would love to see more verticals or comparisons like this within a range…looking at those Redbreasts back there. One of my favorite video formats on the channel

[@DonsBeerReviews]

Great descriptions and analysis. I'm just starting my whisky journey and your channel is proving invaluable. Thanks 👍

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Thanks Don!

[@KGRumph]

I want to start off by saying well done! This format will prove to be very beneficial for us as your viewers and you in turn as a creator. The fact that you covered 5 whiskeys in less than 20 minutes is a testament to your skill and the work you put into these videos. small things, like you mentioned, NOT making us watch you drink water. That proves you value our time. It was so refreshing to have an entire core line up be covered in an manner that was informative, well explained, entertaining, and summarized without it 30+ minutes. Super enjoyable and certainly helped me decide what to keep an eye out for! Thank you for the hard work and for the quality content.

[@vimalrajkappil]

There should be some editing.. i guess so..

[@barrelroller7521]

Great concept, I like the format. Cheers!

[@Freedom_malts]

I'm digging this format and great video Bill. Cheers!

[@brianpetch9534]

Great format! Really enjoyed this.

[@EnginerdBrian]

I enjoyed the detailed explanation and logic you used to do the eliminations. Great overview of the range at the beginning and overall I enjoyed the format!

[@paddygallagher5006]

Thanks, very nice video. Had a wee beastie while watching it. Really enjoyed both.

[@mhdkam2288]

My favourite destilery

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

It's in my top 5

[@dougalbert9831]

Really enjoyed this Ardbeg comparison format. I wouldn't have the opportunity to buy all 5 of these bottles so I really appreciate your video. Thanks Bill!

[@christinecamley]

Outstanding analysis of Ardbeg's core range! I really learned a lot and enjoyed this video thoroughly! With fall here I am loving heavily peated drams and elegant single malts scotch expressions! I do really love Ardbeg Ten! It's so approachable and I enjoy introducing people to peated scotch with this beautiful single malt. The UIG and the Corryvreckan are fabulous but the Ten is right up there for me! I am exploring the An Oa right now and it's interesting! I hear from a lot of people who aren't that keen on this one. The UIG is my fave!! Spectacular!! The flavours are mindblowingly delicious! But hey, the Coreyvreckan is fabulously delicious! The Wee Beastie is like a wild ride and I do really enjoy it! For a 5-year old scotch I think it's really good! In Vancouver we pay so much more for alcohol with a big 15% alcohol tax so even the Wee Beastie is quite a bit more than in the U.S. But so worth it!! It makes me more choosy! Don't get me started on Fermutation. Yikes! Cheers!!

[@mikelesage7133]

Really enjoy the format! I enjoy the backing track, the framing, lighting, editing, live stream-y format, and explanations of this.🤌🏼

[@johnnyg3606]

Liking the format, and the Ardbeg reviews. Thanks mate

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@nixondutes3550]

Terrific format Bill👍 The process of elimination..well presented!!

[@stevespainhour4940]

Been watching you channel for a bit, and I love it. This was a great video and I'd give you two thumbs up for the format if I could. Please do more like it. I've had the 10 and Uigedail before, and I've been trying to decide on another Uigedail, or the Wee Beastie, or the Corryvreckan. You have solved my dilemma ... Corryvreckan it is! Actually, I may get that, the Uigedail, AND the Wee Beastie! Thanks for a great video!

[@ThomasEJohnson]

I’ve always had the 10 year old. I did recently buy a bottle of the 5 Year Old Wee Beastie, and I do like it.

[@AnTreasach]

In response to your question at 16:11 I think Kilchoman Sanaig would fit that bill perfectly!

[@tombularbells]

Love Ardbeg. Have the Oogie always in my cabinet. About a year ago I participated in an Ardbeg tasting with non core bottles. I still remember The Rollercoaster. What a stunner. Great review by the way. Greetings from Belgium.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Thanks! I haven't had the Rollercoaster. Ive heard of it. Wish they had these bottles more widely available

[@cecilrobbins5182]

You did an excellent job! I was very curious what you would do and how you would do it. Ardbeg ends the statement on the back label declaring Corryvreckan the "epitome of Ardbeg" I believe that statement and wholeheartedly Concur with your conclusion and you did an awesome job explaining it as well.... Great job!

[@tonycronin3080]

Definitely love the Wee Beastie and the Corry. Just got the Ugi to try.

[@Von_Fishman]

Cool format, interesting to see them all together. I think Wild turkey/ Russell's Reserve could be good one to do.

[@barrygiddey9139]

I enjoyed the format Bill it was great 🥃

[@exup76]

Try The Glasgow 1770 Peated , you will luv it ! “The finest Scottish concerto barley is smoked to 50ppm using aromatic heather-rich peat sourced from the Scottish Highlands. Distilled slowly in our traditional copper pot stills using the incredibly pure water of Loch Katrine, Glasgow 1770 Peated is matured in American virgin oak casks and finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. “

[@djkamy]

I like the format! I gotta say I really liked your description of everything Ardbeg "at worst... at bet..." Totally agree. I've got the whole lineup and gotta say you probably couldn't pick a "wrong" number 1, although for me it's Corry always :) Oogie second... I'll be happy if you do a similar vid on another Isaly Dist, either Laga, Laph, Bunna, Kilchoman :) Great job !

[@gareth630]

I enjoyed that, for me the 10 or Corryvreckan love both, now the sherry alternative Kilchoman Loch Gorm if you can get it 🙂 its a belter.

[@MikePulcinellaVideo]

Really enjoyed this. I love Ardbeg 5 but have never tried all these other varieties. Thanks for the comparisons.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Glad you liked it!

[@dansardi]

Great video! I am pretty new to Scotch but have discovered quickly that I like Islays and have two Ardbegs at home (Wee Beastie and Oogie). Now you've raised my interest in trying the Corry!

[@rometimed1382]

Do so. The Corry is amazing. We tasted it against a couple of the Octomores and the Corry was the surprise hit.

[@JonBlankman]

I agree. I have yet to find anything to dethrone Corryvreckan IMHO.

[@marclambert8596]

Very cool format comparing a full range from the same distillery I wish would be done more often! I do wish u wld repeat the original text description with the cask details while u retaste them.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I'll keep that in mind! I actually did in the original version but I cut it for time

[@kylep39814]

Laphroaig 10 Sherry Oak Finish

[@royboy2124]

Kilchoman Sanaig for the peated, Sherried is my favorite but I know you didn't love it in your review. Great video either way. Cheers!

[@WhiskeyFancies]

Great video. Only had the Blaaack so far, which we love. Nervous about the vegetal notes on the corry. What would you recommend next?

[@drax14QC]

I definitely enjoyed that type of video format! I’d sure like to see other distillery core range faceoffs (Glenmorangie has already been mentioned, Old Forester would also be interesting for an American Bourbon/Rye lineup). Btw hats off to the Wee Beastie for making it this far!

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

For real. What a shock!

[@doktorprok]

I prefer WB over the 10 because the 10's smoke is a little too 'ashy'. Love the savory BBQ quality to the WB smoke. Looking forward to trying the Corry, but will need to finish my current bottle of Lagavulin 16 before I fork out another $100 :)

[@EnginerdBrian]

Rewatching with 4 Ardbegs poured and seeing how our notes compare!

[@Chickenfinch]

Hey Bill, I wasn't surprised about the 10 getting ousted early. Price to quality just doesn't cut it vs the wee beastie anymore. 100% agree on the corryvreckan. I tasted that vs octomore 13.1 and it was as peaty and did not lose any flavour along the way... Just one of the best. As for the other sherry+ peat, try the Kilchoman Loch Gorm. The Port matured is also a bomb. Ps. Fun format!

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I'm actually really thinking it could be fun to do a Kilchoman vertical

[@heronwhisky]

Good format, I liked the video. Might I suggest starting with a blind tasting on round 1? The Barrell pick you sent just came in. I'm excited to crack it open tonight. Edit: forgot to mention, I'd love to see your take on the Arran core lineup

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Ooo Arran! Enjoy the pick!

[@trombonegamer14]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I've always gotten a dark chocolate vibe from the Corry.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I could see that... somewhere lingering in the finish

[@jamesstamp8567]

100% agree with your rankings!

[@jamesstamp8567]

...also like the content and format of the video.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Thanks James!

[@warrenhurley4148]

“Palate fatigue” is kind of a funny phrase! I liked this format of tasting and ranking a brand range but keeping the length not too long.

[@alandiaz1041]

My ratings: Corry, Uiggie, Ten, An Oa, and Wee Beastie. Not sure what you are missing in the An Oa. I normally agree with you but not this time. I love all Ardbeg core line offerings. The best part is that unlike almost all scotch, Ardbeg hasn’t skyrocketed in price.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Thats a big help for them. Their prices are always very sane, even if their special releases arent!

[@daspi]

I think it's nice to compare different variants within the same distiller. Maybe a nice episode with Glenmorangie?

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Ooo that sounds delicious and I have most of their expressions

[@daspi]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary looking forward to it!

[@revolvermaster4939]

Never had the An Oa, but the “best” of the others depends on what day it is for me.

[@pillcozby431]

I think you should do more line ups like this. Gives people a better perspective if they can't buy them all on where to start. Personally I love the Uge and the An Oa takes some time to open up in the bottle. But I haven't had an Ardbeg that I didn't enjoy. Maybe do a Laphroaig fight next.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

That sounds like a lot of fun

[@joemajor2553]

It’s corry for me all the way followed by uogi and ten. Wee is solid for the price.

[@rometimed1382]

Yup that is where I am too. Corry is way way ahead but the Wee is worth it.

[@mikelesage7133]

Absolute favorite video of yours I’ve watched. I also agree with your opinion on An Oa lol. Have you tried Ardcore?

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I have! It wasn't bad

[@mikelesage7133]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary worth the $135 price tag?

[@archietyler6759]

Hey Bill!!! Love the format. I tried the an oa cuz I heard it was peat and PX sherry but I think I'm just a Port Charlotte fan. Can you recommend any PX and peat whiskies. Thanks

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

I really can't other than the Laphroaig PX Sherry Finish. That was super good

[@peatbull3426]

Glen Scotia 8yo Festival Edition 2022 if you can find it. 😁🥂🙋🏻‍♂️

[@whacheyayo]

Kilchoman Sanaig (peat & sherry) ❤

[@AlexDraut]

I unsubscribed and left Discord as soon as you picked Wee Beastie over the 10. Lol I like them all, but I don't think the Wee Beastie holds a candle to the 10. Especially when it's a $5-10 price difference anyway. Bit of advice to anyone wanting to try it, let it breathe first; the neck pour is pretty rough. The 10, Oogie, and Corry are all good and I try to stock them all. I'd probably pick the Oogie as my favorite, especially as Corry is $120 by me now, but the 10 at $60 is still my benchmark for all single malt peated scotch. Very few can stand toe to toe with it at that price point. I think other verticals of different distilleries would be cool. I know peat isn't for everyone, so maybe something like Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, etc. And for peated sherry scotches: Laphroaig 10 Sherry Oak Laphroaig PX Cairdeas 2021 (I know you did this, but it's probably in my top 5 whiskies of all time) Kilchoman Sanaig Kilchoman Loch Gorm

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

The notification on my phone only showed the first six or seven words and I was like "who's this asshole who had to tell me they unsubbed" lol. Got me

[@AlexDraut]

@@TheWhiskeyDictionary Lol you're not wrong though!

[@logeybear3018]

As a self-appointed representative of the Cult of Ardbeg, we appreciate your continued propagation of our smokey malt masters; however, your transgressions against the Great Uigea prevents us from presenting an invitation to join us. On a personal aside, not only did Ardbeg 10 show me the way into the Plane of Peat, but it got me into Scotch as a whole. I recently acquired Corryvreckan, The Voracious Spiral, and it contends to dethrone the Great Uigea as my favorite, but I will have to do more studies in my chambers to assuredly come to that conclusion.

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

First and foremost, welcome distinguished guest. Pretty wild for you to get into scotch through Ardbeg 10. You must have been born with a brick of peat in your mouth! Hope you enjoy the Corry!

[@rometimed1382]

The Corry is the best. It is amazing.

[@logeybear3018]

@@rometimed1382 What I've heard is that if you're looking for the most Ardbeg of Ardbegs, the Corryvreckan is it. Gonna try a comparison with the Uigeadail tomorrow night probably after working all day because damn I will have earned it lol

[@rometimed1382]

@logeybear3018 We just had it with a bunch of other much more expensive Islays and it was the fav of the night.

[@logeybear3018]

@@rometimed1382 I'll also have to compare both to the Lagavulin 11 charred oak Nick Offerman edition since that one also has that seared brisket flavor I love in Ardbeg. I got the 16 year in a discovery set with Cragganmore 12 (which was good) and Talisker 10 (which I love so much that it's now a mainstay for me), but I actually found Lagavulin 16 to be too refined and classy for what I like in smokey whiskeys. I can actually get it for a really reasonable price nearby, but if I want something with a higher age statement that makes me feel fancy, I've already got Glenfiddich 18 or Calumet Farms 16. Still a fantastic dram, though, highly recommend it, but just not for me.

[@piperjon]

Yep, like this format. Very concise yet informative. I'd have to say Wee Beastie for the win. It's about $55 around here. The Corryveckan is $135 here...that's above my limit for a bottle.

[@jackthepickledhound]

That's not a good number. I waited till I found a Cory at $90. Which is a lot. I didn't want to spend $110 for NAS so $135 is outrageous.

[@piperjon]

@@jackthepickledhound Yup! At $90 I'd reluctantly whip out my wallet and give it a try. At $135 I'm a hard pass.

[@jackthepickledhound]

@@piperjon good luck on the journey! I drove around a lot in 2020/21 building my collection when gas was under $3 and you could get Ardbeg10 and Arran10 @ 2/$100 out the door. Now I occasionally check the few good stores. My tastes have changed and my ceiling is a little higher but I don't overpay. A'bunadh was the same thing. GF 105 also. I recently scored ECBP A123 for $65 while it's on the shelf locally for 79-99. So the correct prices are out there.

[@piperjon]

@@jackthepickledhound Absolutely, the hunt is real. I live in rural north central Florida so things can be pricey. But when I get to the cities I can find some (but not always) better prices. Also Valdosta, Georgia is a two hour drive and from there Dothan, Alabama is just another hour and a half. So occasionally I make a three state tour stopping in Tallahassee on the way home where I sometimes find bottles I don’t see in Orlando or Gainesville.

[@jackthepickledhound]

@@piperjon I live in NY/CT/NJ area. I spend time in Daytona Beach so I know it's tough the Total wine is very limited. There are 2 shops on RT 1 that were sitting on 2017 entry level springbanks for years now. I picked up a KK12 and LR NAS last year for $59. Didn't need the HZ10 or the SB10. I went back last month and one still has Hazelburn 10 and Springbank 10 and Longrow NAS all bottles in 2017. There was a new owner and the clerk would not honor the sticker price of $61 for SB10. The new price in the computer was $135. For a dusty bottle. F that. Only the LR is $59. Saved me $200. I was going to get all 3 SBs . Even though people are saying the new ones are getting better. I personally don't think my 2019 bottle is that great.

[@allthebass]

I like An Oa considerably more than Ten Year; is just more nuanced. That said, I will take Laphroaig 10 Year, Laphroaig 10 Year cask strength or Port Charlotte over An Oa.

[@dbunce10]

Corryvreckan is cask stregth, Bestie is not. Or am I wrong

[@mattiasolsson326]

I also prefer the wee beastie over the 10 and an oa. Prefer younger islay. But uigdall is my favorite.

[@jasonwest9425]

Ugi all day long. Nothing compares to the mix of Sherry sweetness and smoke.

[@kaloyanski]

Ardbeg 🥰

[@TheWhiskeyDictionary]

Soooo tasty

[@rometimed1382]

Corryvreckan is the best and it's not close.