Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year old REVIEW: Most HYPED whisky of last year!

We've got a hype beast today, guys. Ardbeg's 5-year-old Wee Beastie came out to much fanfare last year. It's been praised not only as a solid addition to the Ardbeg core range but also for not shying away from a younger age statement. I'll taste it and give you my thoughts. Cheers!
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[@dairyyang5457]

Solid review! Ten is deeper, more complex, and Five is brighter/fresher. For me, the key difference is peat, 10 lean to tar/medicine, and 5 is more like ash/BBQ smoke. Although 10's peat is more unique, I vote for 5, haha.

[@Gwhisky]

I prefer the 5 myself. The 10 isn't what it used to be imo.

[@yoursinsincerely39]

Spot on about Ardbeg 10. I always loved Ardbeg for their consistency in quality. Lately, the Ardbeg 10 definitely tastes inferior to the older bottlings (much like the Lagavulin 16). Probably the lower quality of casks contribute to the diminishing quality. I really loved the Wee Beastie. I suspect the diminishing quality of Ardbeg 10 could be by design as they might phase it out and make the 5 the signature lower end of their core range. If you haven't already, give the dram more time and see how it changes in the glass. I was amazed at how it changes from that savory, maple bacon note to a bitter herb finish and then an almost granola maltiness and back to the savory brine. It really is a beast of a dram. Untamed, extremely interesting and for the price (42$ in PA, USA) probably the best single malt out there. I would say this lived up to the hype.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah agree, the 10 really has gone downhill, I suppose time will tell if they'll eventually phase it out, but it's an interesting theory. I agree, Wee Beastie is solid stuff, and a solid "replacement" for the 10. I've still got the bottle on the go, so I'll have to check for those flavours next time I have a whisky session. Cheers, and thanks for the comment!

[@maritimeus]

Geoff, I had to quickly reference this video today. My mother-in-law accidentally bought the Wee Beastie last week for herself. She wasn’t aware of Ardbeg’s smoke (she is now!). So, I ended up with the bottle today and couldn’t be happier with it. It beats my expectations and I really think it’s better than the 10. Crazy! I love the BBQ smoke and oily mouthfeel. Surprisingly sweet. What’s better than a free bottle of scotch? Being able to drink it with my wife and getting laid!

[@Gwhisky]

Nice score! Thanks mom-in-law! 🥃

[@phraktl]

I do like the WB, but I don't prefer it over the other expressions. It feels like something I want to drink during warmer weather. For $35 here in Texas, it won't make me cringe to make a smokey cokey or two with it. Enjoyed your review!

[@Gwhisky]

Hah for that price why not!

[@tudevoid]

First time with any Arbeg. The 5 is very sweet. Don't tastemuch iodine in it. Not complex, but pretty light and sweet

[@Allouran]

You can expect good value as well. I like this Ardbeg, provides a lovely round peaty dram without all the cost and drama...

[@Gwhisky]

Agree! Good stuff!

[@Dustyphoto915]

Excellent way to put it.

[@ninetyZeven]

Happy Year of the Ox, by the way. Another Beastie. If you're into that kind of stuff.

[@Gwhisky]

Happy New Year!

[@drax14QC]

I just bought a bottle of Wee Beastie as my first Ardbeg, can’t wait to uncork it!

[@Gwhisky]

Hope you enjoy, Drax! Cheers!

[@drax14QC]

@@Gwhisky thanks! I hope I’ll enjoy it and I’m optimistic it’ll be the case.

[@Joe-ew2rt]

Same here brother cheers!

[@drax14QC]

@@Joe-ew2rt Hope you enjoy. I certainly do. It's young, intense and smoky/meaty for sure.

[@gerritgreveling]

I remember trying this one for the first time a few years ago. I got home from work. It was September I think. It was raining cats and dogs. No umbrella or a raincoat. What to do. Of course. Have a monster of a dram. Perfect. Very fine spirit. Still loving it. Have you tried the traigh bhan? 19 yo. A even more rounded 10 yo let’s say. Wonderfull. TB like a grandfather. 10 yo is his son. And WB is his wild heavy metal loving headbanging grandson

[@Gwhisky]

I've not tried the 19. It's a bit pricy here, but I'd be curious to try it as a sample. Love the analogy! 🥃

[@gerritgreveling]

@@Gwhisky indeed nothing new but shocking. 1450€ at the most over here. Bought for like 90€. I’m talking about batch one. Haven’t tried to find the other batches. They are sold out before releasing after batch one.

[@lukebarnett1478]

bring on the blaaack and cake reviews. have had the blaaack and found it solid. never had cake but curious if it’s any good… had a few other glenmorangies that i did enjoy

[@Gwhisky]

Both Blaaack and Cake have been reviewed. Both good!

[@paullaviera4747]

Hey G, What NAS is great in your opinion? I only got the Signet. Would love to have recommendations.

[@Gwhisky]

Hi Paul. That's a really broad question. There are a million NAS expressions out there. Some are cheap, others like the Signet are in the premium category. Peated, sherried, bourbon-matured, etc. Could you narrow down what you're looking for?

[@paullaviera4747]

@@Gwhisky Maybe on the mid-range side. I wanna hear your peated, bourbon-matured, sherry NAS single malts. I consider myself an intermediate drinker thanks to your channel.

[@ironmantran]

Wee5 is over-hyped : get the Ledaig 10 (cheaper) instead. . . crazy pricing eh ? (( way too young, spend a bit more for a COrry or Uigee ...))

[@tudevoid]

Never had the 10, but the 5 is very apple sweet on the nose