Pick Your Side - Ardbeg Uigedail vs Ardbeg Corryvreckan

Today I have my say over this big debate between two heavy hitters of Ardbeg.
Uigeadail vs Corryvreckan has been a big topic of discussion and even though palates are different and people prefer varied tastes for some reason this comparison is always made.
Let's see which one of these beautiful, heavily peated whiskies speak to me more.
Tell me which one you pick.
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[@cemtuncel1602]

This has been going on for more than 10 years. It all started when Corry was launched just before 2010. My choice is definitely the Uigedail. I tasted it in 2004, it was a totally new experience then and it still is. Corry is one of the 'newer' variations, Uigedail is the original :) Love them both though. You did not bring the price difference into this comparison; I believe it's important to know that Corry is around 40% more expensive than Uigedail. Even with the same price, I'd go with the Uige, with such a price difference, it's definitely The Uigedail:)

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

I did not know how long it's been going for. In 2004 I was maybe having my first beer 😅 It's good to have a 20+ years experience on how they evolved. I did read when Uigeadail first came out it was one of the expressions that made Ardbeg the cult distillery it is today. I tasted both around the same time and maybe I had a lesser batch of Uigeadail which led to me towards Corryvreckan but I still lean more towards that. Yeah the price difference is big and I agree Corryvreckan does not warrant it but I just wanted to do a review solely on my palate. Thanks for your input and happy new year ahead 🥃

[@tommysimpsonandtheloadeddice]

I keep both around and pick up whichever one I feel like at the time.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

@@tommysimpsonandtheloadeddice This is the way!

[@kevinnordby4808]

Great review my friend! I pick Corry as well…..I love sherry/peat combos but for some reason I don’t like the Ardbeg peat style with sherry. I feel the same way about Laphroaig peat with sherry. For sherry/peat I favor Kilchoman or Glenturret or a Caol Ila IB…..oh, wait Springbank 15 and Kilkerran 8 pretty much kill it.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

@@kevinnordby4808 Thank you, glad you liked it! I feel Corry is more 'clean' in a dirty way 😅 I do love the Laphroaig style with sherry, the Cairdeas PX of 2022 was incredible. Caol IB with sherry casks are hard to beat but I'm not a fan of Springbank 15 or Kilkerran 8. To each his own I guess 🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching, cheers 🥃

[@justwhisky]

I was sitting on the edge of my seat hoping you would pick the best … and you did! 👏 My favorite as well. I had a bottle from 2018?? That was epic and probably in my top 3 of best peated. I’ve had a more recent bottle that didn’t live up but hey… batch variations are part of our journey. Cheers 🥃

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Boom! Glad you agree John 😃🥃 Yes this is true with both actually and in my opinion Uigeadail suffers more from batch variation. I'm OK with these variations as long as you still get good versions alongside the lesser ones. If distilleries are using inferior casks, younger whisky, rushed distillations and hiding behind 'variations' then there's a big problem. Time will tell with these two. Cheers John 🥃

[@whiskywhereabouts]

Great breakdown and video, made even better because you choose correctly ...😄 Cheers!

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Hahaha thank you, #teamcorry

[@christinecamley]

Fabulous refreshing amazing video looking at two Ardbeg expressions that I absolutely love!! I would be thrilled with a dram of either of these delicious expressions but I am now firmly in the UIG camp and I never add water to either the UIG or the Coreyvreckan!! I think the UIG is a lot more balanced but it can be mood dependent for me as well and on some evenings kicking back to sip a dram I will happily go for the Corey!! I love the sherry influence with the UIG. I am not a big fan of a sweet single malt scotch but this isn't that for me. I think the balance and formulation is spectacular! They are both outstanding scotches in my very humble opinion!! I love your thoughts always and your videos are always amazing! Interesting and entertaining and I learn a lot!! Hey Happy New Year! I hope 2024 is wonderful for you and your family!! Peace!!

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Thank you Christine for your ever lovely words 😃🥃 They're both beautiful whiskies and this was just an excuse for me to drink both 😅 Truth is I do prefer the Corryvreckan but I'll be happy with Uigeadail all day everyday 😊 Happy new year to you and yours. May 2024 treat you well 🥃

[@pl3317]

Corryvreckan for me too ! However, it's very batch dependent and I found a batch in 2013 that was just superb - botle code L13 042. I went back and bought all the bottles I could find from that batch !

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

They all are a bit batch variant I agree with that but overall they are quite solid expressions in my opinion. Nice that you could find the exact same batches! Cheers

[@McIntyresMalts]

Great comparison my bro, definitely agree that water ruins Uigeadail. Believe it or not I still haven’t tried Corryvrekan, but will rectify that in 2024

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Thank you my man, glad you liked it. I think water ruins a part of most whiskies and I refrain from using it unless the nose and the palate are super closed. I'm sure you will brother, I'm sure you will 😃🥃

[@user-ui4ur1ix7l]

Corryvreckan ❤

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

😃🥃

[@DavidUKesb]

I've seen the Corrywreckan from Jura. Not many of the people who even live on Jura have seen it. It's a long walk from the 'road end'. Jura is amazing and a must for those who are visiting Islay.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Wow that must've been an experience, lucky you 😃 I have not visited Islay yet but will make sure to visit Jura when I do, after this conversation. Thank you 🥃

[@DavidUKesb]

It's only 5 minutes on the ferry from Islay, but you do need a car.@@thewhiskyenthusiast

[@DayKlight]

Corry for me, but im also more of an oak fan, especially virgin and limousin oak. ive found it more interesting and less "standard" than the uigi

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Good angle to look at it from. They're both tasty whiskies but I'm with you as well on the Corryvreckan 🥃

[@user-pl1tu7rk7g]

I agree, both are good but I'm for team Corry! Now the next question, Corry or AN OA? maybe your next video?

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Team Corry all the way! To be honest I never much saw the point of An Oa and always wished for a different cask for the core range instead so I can say Corry will take that battle for me again 😃🥃

[@chongkokchoyify]

I prefer Corryvreckan. An Oa is a disappointment, if compared to the Corryvreckan and Uigerdail

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Couldn't agree more 😃 on the Corryvreckan

[@OldNavyGuy]

Best review of these two Ardbeg scotches I’ve seen yet. To me, Corryvreckan is the more honest, mature, and straightforward yet sublime of the two. I don’t like the taint of sherry casks on the Uggy. Corry bandwagon all day.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Thank you, that's a great compliment! Straightforward yet sublime! I like this and I think you made a perfect summary of how I feel as well. Corry all the way, cheers!

[@IRamOne_w]

Can not, love them both :)

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

I understand this 😃🥃

[@IRamOne_w]

Cheers, and thank you for your work, very much appreciate it, all the best! @@thewhiskyenthusiast

[@alastor1052]

Team corry all the way, hell of a peat monster!

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

All the way on a peat highway 😃🥃

[@joeappleton6849]

Ardbeg uigeadail scotch

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

I'll write you down for Team Oogie 🥃