Ardbeg Scorch Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review

THANK YOU Rocky and Wendy Nichols. May your magnificence be as boundless and plentiful as your pours.
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The Whiskey Vault is the resource library for whisky sommeliers that have graduated from Whisky Marketing School. Learn more at whiskymarketing.org/

[@censusgary]

“This whiskey is like a bunch of old guys trying to start their own biker gang.” That may be the best analogy I have ever heard.

[@Herbyonwheelsshubhayu14]

Merry Christmas Mbs 🥃🎄 🪵🔥

[@blute3085]

Ardbeg fan here. I haven't been overly impressed with the special releases. I recently picked up a bottle of the Hypernova ($200 in Ohio) and it tasted VERY young. (Think Wee Beastie with a little extra smoke). To be honest, I felt a little taken. It wasn't anywhere near as mature / complex as an Uigeadail that costs less than half the price.

[@silverdale6780]

I was misled by the flashy marketing for the Scorch as well at first, but once I understood the role of heavily charring a barrel I really appreciated the nuance of this specific expression of Ardbeg. Still a great dram, thanks for the review guys! And Merry Christmas from Canada!!

[@davidfurr6004]

To be honest I thought the name might be a reference to a Dragon in D&D.

[@ewalt8549]

I sadly agree with Daniel that I don’t love this bottle and was disappointed in it being my first most expensive bottle. I’ll keep it around for awhile and keep coming back and hopefully share with someone that does appreciate it.

[@viktorbryce951]

I literally just bought this last week for a tasting with friends. It was phenomenal, though it didn't compare to the Hypernova. Both were incredible, and I couldn't have been more pleased with them. Definite crowd pleasers

[@NotQuiteEpic]

When 'Ardbeggy' is a legit tasting/nosing note! LOL

[@loonypeat312]

From the northern end of I-35 in Minnesota to the southern end of I-35 in Texas, Merry Christmas 🎄 🥃🎄

[@who2u333]

From someone at the southern end, back at ya!

[@mneiheiserable]

The double head sideways nod at 5:07 is perfect synchronicity! 🤣🤣

[@hotdog99100]

Rex's go to flavor is waxed nuts.

[@n.spatrick3228]

Considering your tasting notes, I’m guessing the “scorch” refers to the way the barrel was charred. Like, Scorching the barrel opposed to Toasting. You can still achieve a heavy charred barrel when you toast. The duration of the the heat applied, how direct or indirect the heat is when applied, and penetration of the charr all make a difference. Also these considerations apply to fall vs spring harvest oak. And the cure time for the staves can make a big difference. For example, a dry spring harvest barrel with a fast burning extreme heat will sour the barrel in seconds. And that is not necessarily a bad thing. Because the weight of the new make spirit (light, medium, heavy) and the amount of heads and tails in the cut all make a difference over time. Compare the Lediag 10 (fall harvest oak with years of outdoor cured staves) in the grey box and the new Lediag 10 in the black box. The new stuff has a cheaper and younger oak and the difference is a drier whisky. Just a thought. Most folks don’t have a taste for the grains, weight of the spirit or age and season of harvest. So I think these subjects are unimportant to most people.

[@nefariousjackal6195]

Happy Holidays, MBs!

[@waldeniv]

I can't believe they didn't compare this to the Lagavulin Offerman Edition Extra Charred.

[@JazznRealHipHop]

Someone promote this man’s mooch level

[@taylor315]

This is just like the Lagavulin 11 that was just released, It’s also a “Charred Oak” limited edition. But the only Lagavulin 11 I want back is the Guinness cask edition!

[@themoefosho]

Ohhhhh. I have the committee release version of this and have been looking forward to cracking it open this Christmas.

[@JazznRealHipHop]

Just found a CR still on a shelf wondering if it’s better then the LR, higher APV 🤔

[@pureicon]

Hi, I would love it, if you replied to my comment. I recently moved up from Laphroaig 10 and Ardbeg 10 to Lagavulin 16 and I was blown away. Now I am looking for my next Scotch experience. Something that would be considered an elevation to the Lagavulin 16 at under US$150. I am looking for my next scotch experience, not something that is "like" Lagavulin but clearly superior. Must be peated. Thank you!

[@joshlibby9616]

If your looking for Maple Syrup, try Angels Envy Rye. All I want when I have that is a stack of pancakes!

[@jjy3k10]

Morning you MBs! Tried this at a buddy's last year. They didn't really like it but I appreciated the craft cola notes. Not as enjoyable as the 10.

[@jamosensei]

I could not pull anything but those jarring notes when I first poured it. It was only after doing an Ardbeg-off with a 5, a 10, the An Oa, the Uigeadail and this, AND added a smidge of water, that I finally found other, more appealing, notes. Pro side…I had an Old Forester Barrel Proof taste, afterwards, after my first taste…the OF SiB BS came out sweet like nectar!

[@LunaNicoleTheFox]

I WISH I had a bottle of this to try but at least I got the Corryvreckan, which is phenomenal in it's own right!

[@conork325]

I'll have to go back to the Corry. It's been in the back of my cabinet after giving it a few goes and not being able to justify drinking it when the Uigeadail is here.

[@geoffgaebe8354]

Two suggestions for you. 1) Oppidan has a really interesting release called "Sea & Smoke". It's a bourbon finished in Islay cask barrels. I stumbled on it by accident... and it's REALLY good. 2) If you want a super-tasty Maple bourbon, Taconic Distillery offers a Double Barrel Maple Bourbon Whiskey. Basically, they have a partnership with a local maple syrup producer where they age their bourbon, then send their used barrels to the syrup guys, who fill the used bourbon casks with maple syrup and age their syrup. THEN they send the barrels in which they aged the syrup BACK to the distillery, where they use the barrels that went from aging bourbon to aging maple syrup... and they finish aging their bourbon in those barrels. The result is a bourbon with JUST ENOUGH maple flavor that you notice it... but it doesn't overwhelm the flavors in the bourbon.

[@michaelcharlesthearchangel]

3) mix Ardbeg Scorch with alligator charred oak cask bourbon like Eagle Rare 10 AND Yuu Baal Pechuga Mezcal.... for the ultimate El Camino Supremo!

[@jmacri4489]

Merry Christmas you magnificent bastards!!

[@Jeremy-sf2xf]

Oh I wish I could get this in my shitty restrictive state. I am sippin on a ten right now. A few days ago I could not remember which ardbegs I had tried and thought it was the uigedail I needed. So bought that along with a highland park 12. Got home Realize I needed the Ten so I had to go back a few days last night to get that.

[@noahgarber]

On the subject of maple syrup…Starlight Distillery in Indiana does a Maple Syrup Finished Bourbon, and I will say it is definitely a sweeter bourbon. However, it is at 55.4% ABV. So, you do not miss out on the oak flavors traditional with bourbon.

[@johnsenter549]

Rex needs a skullet to revive the Mooching. Merry Christmas.

[@joejanca]

I have both the Committee and Limited versions of this, and was surprised to find I actually prefer the Limited (lower ABV).

[@johngilbert5981]

Me and a friend did a side by side. I had the lower and he had the higher. We both preferred the lower also

[@zer0tzer0]

Hey! Easy there, Larry Scorch !!! I think the reason Scotch taste like iodine is the malted grain is smoked with kelp peat which does contain iodine.

[@jpoggi9081]

If they made the syrup themselves it's going to depend on how much they concentrate it for the sweetness. Maple syrup coming off of an entire tree needs to be reduced to as little as 1/40th the volume (by removing water) to get the level of flavor and sugar concentration we know and love. In the same spirit, since its so diluted in the trees, it may not impact the whiskey as much as we would imagine just being in contact with a few pieces of the wood

[@Sman7290]

The problem is that most people's reviled of "maple syrup" is from Cracker Barrel. They used to use pure maple syrup but, for years now, they've been cutting it 50/50 with corn syrup, which makes it sweeter.

[@Crowsfeast]

Unfortunately I was not lucky enough to get the CR Scorch and only have the LE version. Fortunately Daniel's main complaint does not seem to be an issue with the LE. I think one of the main differences between the LE and CR is that the LE is proofed down much more. Maybe Daniel will get to the sweet and fruity notes if he added some water?

[@johngilbert9420]

I got LE and feiend got CR. We did side by side. We both agreed LE was better and more balanced

[@-RONNIE]

Just in case you all don't do another video before the 25th I want to wish you both, your families, friends and everyone at the distillery a great holiday 🥃 Sláinte

[@MrCaddySlash]

Sweetens Cove does the maple finish really well

[@nookiemonster4119]

I bought one of these about 2 years ago still have not opened it. Is it worth the try or should i keep it and pray i can re sell at some point for a profit because of limited release?

[@lonniesharp9109]

I didn't know Tobias Funke was doing a Whisky Tasting channel with Jeffrey Lebowski. Right on fellas! 🥃

[@prinyaz]

It's super mellow once it opens up. If you like the neck you might think it's too tame after it opens up. If you're on the fence about the neck then you'll enjoy it after some time.

[@robviousobviously5757]

GOOD MORNING YOU MB'S.... 🥃

[@hardr3573]

The committee release cask strength was better in my opinion

[@somethingsomethingdarkside8245]

I got to try this last week, it was nice but for the price I’d just buy the uigeadail

[@VinegarAndSaltedFries]

So there is two versions of this. One Committee release and one more mass market.

[@andrewsdrmike]

The sweetness develops at the end of the dram for me.

[@NushiSama]

So far the Corry is my fav Ardbeg that you can get, however the Furmutation is the best one I've ever tried it had so many interesting citrus and bright notes in it while maintaining that Umami and great smoke flavor

[@gwaihirwindlord1935]

Ardbeg Alligator is what Scorch wants to be when it grows up.

[@johnmuffler1695]

Have you guys tried Ardbeg Hypernova? I keep seeing it at my local liquor store

[@revgregory]

I found Scotch (both CR and LE) underwhelming, we just cracked a Hypernova Christmas Eve and it was really good.

[@theindecisiveshooter]

"said the man with the giant flava flav medallion" 😂

[@joshpressel4930]

Has there ever been a "will it distill" for maple syrup? Or maybe could you distill mead?

[@dumpeeplarfunny]

0:17 There's a short clip of the old vault, maybe 1 frame.

[@erggml1887]

I had it a while ago. I had a very different impression of what to expect from it than what I got. I did not appreciate it as a result. I later had it when it was served to me without my knowing. I felt like it was ok at that point, but I did not think it was worth the purchase price. Bottom line, I do not recommend it. Instead I would suggest the following: An Oa, Uigeadail, Lagavulin 16, Laphroaig Lore, Laphroaig 10 and Compass Box Peat Monster. All are better in my opinion. On top of that, in my area, An Oa, Laphroaig 10 and the Peat Monster all cost less than Scorch did.

[@CODandponies]

BTW the movie you guys are thinking of is called Wild Hogs

[@michaelcharlesthearchangel]

I have access to Ardbeg Scorch. I'm more interested in buying the boxes of Ardbeg Scorch than bottles alone.

[@kaboom2270]

Hi, where can we send you bottles ??

[@Manglerdome]

I have disembarked the Ardbeg FOMO train. I still haven't had any special release that can take the crown from Corryvreckan, the definitive Ardbeg release and the pricing is reaching ridiculous leves. You can almost get 2x Corry for 1 gamble special release. I know where I will be spending my money.

[@mrtqtran]

Is it way better than the ardbeg 10?

[@unclemikiesworld]

A helpful review on a not to obscure whiskey, that's a bingo

[@directx3497]

You guys have been together so long your starting to look alike!

[@raychappel3610]

I'm generally a full blown Ardbeg cult member, but my experience was the same as Daniel's. Wasn't a fan of this one. Got all the smoke, iodine, and vegetalness, but couldn't get many other flavors behind that.

[@philjewell8681]

Surprised that someone would send that in, only available via random allocation in Canada and $$

[@cartermayfield]

I agree with Eric Waite that Ardbeg special releases are getting less and less special and more and more scarce and expensive. I pass these days after Arrrrrdbeg. Some day, I will regret it. For now, I’ve done pretty well. Sure would like a bottle of Hypernova, though.

[@ironbrutesrage]

I got a bottle of the ardbeg 10 and sheesh it's iodine forward

[@Huwie73]

Mooch denied!!! Lol.

[@lassa43]

got 2 of them...

[@gabeclevidence3180]

In order to get past some of the smoke my dad and I do a 50/50 of Adrbeg scorch and Johnnie Walker Black label.

[@mvv1408]

Did you ever try Benromach 10? Considering what you wrote, I think you will like it. It even gets better if you can find the cask strength version.

[@noahgarber]

Whoa! WHOA! Time out! I now have heat/beef with the Vault editor. Daniel mentions “Bad Biker Gang Member Name from the 90’s” named Scorch …and then uses a picture OF THE LEGENDARY UNDERTAKER! How dare you! That was wrong on so many levels.

[@BillMcGirr]

Behind Rex is a Willet bourbon bottle. Long and elegant. Good thing the bottle is fantastic… And it is. The liquid not so much. Willet small batch 4 year rye? On the money.🥃

[@Nevyn515]

The name to me made me think habaneros were in the barrel when aging, or it has a scoville rating.

[@noahgarber]

Rex and Daniel are now destined to feel the wrath of The Cult of Ardbeg!

[@WilliamGM3rd]

Hi Dan and Rex you wanted to know a band for Japanese whiskey Hibiki Harmony the band is LUSH JUST SAYING

[@MrEnigma1610]

Whats up, y'all!?

[@joshreis8672]

I would like to point out how synchronized your nosing and initial sip were. It was like you practiced for a Synchronized Boozing Competition. I'm pretty sure you would have placed 3rd of 5. ;)

[@MichaelMurphyCFHH]

Scorch is apparently a char level 5!

[@lolipop9897]

I tried ledaig 10 year old single malt, to me it was like drinking a campfire.

[@dave.in.oregon]

What am I missing here? What's Number 4 Char alligator bourbon barrels? Is there a difference vs a Char 3? Educate us laymen whiskey fans please. What would they compare to that we would know?

[@dmshampton]

Most oak barrels are hit with flames on the inside resulting in either a toast or char depending on the heat strength and time. In older times, barrels used to age wine were lightly toasted and when people started barreling whiskey, they would put extra heat on the barrel to "clean it" after previous use, resulting in a previously toasted barrel becoming "charred." Once cooperage became easier and bourbon required fresh barrels, people started to realize it gives the whiskey a lot of vanilla flavors when you do this, so now its standard practice to char the barrel's to impart extra flavor on the spirit as it ages. The numbers refer to the level of toast that a barrel is charred, these levels are 1-4 and can range from around 15 seconds to about a minute for a level four char. Level 4 char is usually called "alligator char" because the inside of the barrel sort of looks like alligator skin from all the bumps left from the burning coals! Hope this is a good sum!

[@dave.in.oregon]

@@dmshampton Thank you!! Very good summary. Much appreciated. Where on the scale do we typically see charring done for most American Bourbon for example? Is 4 the exception or the norm? (for comparison sake)

[@dumpeeplarfunny]

3:15 "She can scamper very impressively." 😂😂😂 Highlights video.

[@Welshmanshots]

decided to look up the price in my region and my gawd is £200 and I thought an £80 whiskey was hard to stomach buying.

[@ruquik]

try $200 lol. But i love it none the less

[@thegreatwalrus153]

Could get 2 bottles of wee beastie instead

[@VinegarAndSaltedFries]

Genuinely for the prices I see this for at stores in NY and online. I could get 6 wee beasties.

[@thegreatwalrus153]

@@VinegarAndSaltedFries yeah and wee beastie is great for the price.

[@VinegarAndSaltedFries]

@@thegreatwalrus153 so to be honest for me it’s far to young tasting but I definitely see how some would like it. I prefer the rest in the core lineup.

[@wakeful1710]

I love Gilmore girls!

[@Beechhill]

The Ardbeg Brigade seem somewhat absent in the comment section of late ...

[@grouchofarts]

Love the Harley Davidson comparison. So much shitty marketing, still a pretty good whisky.

[@charlieloftus9982]

My opinion- Ardbeg should stick to the Wee Beastie to help those who have pocketbook concerns, 10 year old for the deliciousness that it is, Uigeadail for that creamy kick, and maybe an argument for the Blasda for something different. The special releases seem rushed and not reliable. Once again my 2 cents!! The funny thing is I still go for the special releases because I do not want to miss that perfect asskicker😊

[@xiamengbaby]

I'd keep the Corryvrecken in the lineup too. Wee Beastie is barely less $ than the Ten in my area, so that's a no go. I know in some places, it is quite a bit cheaper and some peat fans love some of the punchier younger whiskies. The An Oa, however, tastes underaged but costs about the same as the Ten, so that's a no go as well. Ardbeg seems to focus more on putting out high priced special editions with clever names and colorful packaging, than on making sure the quality of the core range is maintained.

[@johnnymossville]

Like a Scottish dude who hooks up with an American biker chic at closing time. He has no idea the ride he's in for, but he likes it!

[@Beechhill]

That's literally "You Shook Me All Night Long".

[@dongelhotjr3489]

Frozen.

[@colinbrown4008]

Uigeadail can't be beaten in my eyes.

[@karl_alan]

Personally, I woulda compared to wee beastie. It is the other one trying to be defined by how aggressive it is.

[@Fishbone8891]

These tasting notes are out of control here guys. Us average MB's can't be pulling swimming pool chlorine out of our back pocket. Most of us will probably be like "this tastes like ardbeg, but there's something else there and I either like it or I wouldn't buy it again"

[@jeffedgar562]

T Swift is the shizzzz

[@alfamaize]

So the real important question, if it tastes like asparagus, does your pee back it up?

[@AdamKeele]

It really sounds like you’re saying it’s totally not worth the money. It’s to be pretty special for me to drop near or over $100, and if I can get a similar or better experience from something cheaper, I’m totally doing that. I’d rather have a larger, more varied whisky collection than a smaller one with more expensive bottles. I’ve tried enough $1,000+ bottles to know you’re not that much more of a mind-blowing experience-it’s mostly a status symbol thing. Being a pro brewer, I try to remain as unbiased and objective as possible, not just about what I make, but anything I try as well. There are plenty of beers, I wouldn’t drop the money or stand in any lines either, some because they aren’t that impressive or it’s not worth the time and money compared to others I can get that don’t have the same hype. Don’t feel you have to inflate something just because you spent the money; that just perpetuates the nonsense! My takeaway-don’t bother with this one.

[@YoJimBo851610]

670👍

[@mmwosu]

So…. it’s Ardbeg….

[@Scanlon1981]

Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh that is all

[@thomascooley2749]

Rex has lost his mooching spirit

[@benjamincarter6095]

Never. Rex is a king moocher for life.

[@thomascooley2749]

@@benjamincarter6095 he has had so many missed opportunities lately Wouldn't surprise me if he lost the keys to the mooch machine

[@JoshuaBSams]

Who actually uses “4”?

[@duncan9206]

First?

[@lvcsslacker]

"Ardbeg is like the Harley Davidson of scotch." Don't do that to me...

[@krisserioux272]

Wild Hogs!!! Lol.

[@mrtqtran]

Iodine + asparagus... Not feeling that flavor profile.

[@Obxp4LL]

Remember there is no such thing as bad whiskey, some are better than others.

[@vintageswiss9096]

Ardbeg lost me as a customer for all their limited releases. Their latest 5-7 year limited edition is a Wee Beastie bottled at 48% for 5x the price. I'll buy the 10 year or the Wee Beastie, but I'm done paying $200 for a quarter cask 5 year old. Sorry Ardbeg...

[@williamreynolds7861]

🥃👍🎄😎

[@hotdog99100]

Sorry, do not follow the bingo card references.

[@ManOfEthnicity]

I stumbled on this during the summer and passed because it just seemed so gimmicky.

[@Steph_ADOCpara]

✌️🥃☕️🥃☕️✌️