The Spirit Specialist reviews Ardbeg Ardcore (46% release)

Try Ardbeg Ardcore in the 'New Kids On The Loch - Summer 2022 Edition' sample selection box, available to purchase here:www.spiritspecialist.com/prod...
SUBSCRIBE to The Spirit Specialist and receive regular video reviews of the world’s most exciting spirits brands!
Visit www.spiritspecialist.com to buy from our range of spirits - we have whisk(e)y, rum, gin, agave spirits, liqueurs and many other brands you won’t find on mainstream shelves! UK Nationwide Delivery is available, along with Click-and-Collect from our store in Howden, East Yorkshire!
Follow The Spirit Specialist on social media:
Facebook: / specialistspirit
Twitter: @spiritspec
Instagram: @thespiritspecialist
The Ardbeg Distillery was founded in 1815 by John MacDougall on his family farm on the South coast of Islay - although evidence shows illegal distilling was taking place there for at least 20 years prior. It’s located on the same road that also holds Lagavulin and Laphroaig and all three are known for producing some of the peatiest whiskies in Scotland.
As popular as it is now, the distillery wasn’t always a success, being mothballed in 1981 and restarting again in 1989 on an intermittent basis, going silent once more in 1996. However a year later it was purchased by Glenmorange for £7 million - and who themselves would eventually be owned by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy in 2004 - who then began to rebrand Ardbeg and take advantage of the increasing popularity of smoky malt whiskies. Due to the limited availability of casks, the first age statement release was a 17 year old and it wasn’t until 2008 that the 10 year old was launched. Indeed, the Ardbeg portfolio contains a number of no-age-statement bottlings which combines casks of various ages and types to maintain some kind of consistency. Dr Bill Lumsden was distillery manager of Glenmorange from 1995 before becoming Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation and Whisky Stocks for both Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, and is considered the figurehead for continually experimental releases utilising differing process throughout production.
Set up in 1999, the Ardbeg Committee is a fan club of sorts that offers members exclusive releases, normally on ‘Ardbeg Day’, which started on June 2nd 2012. So popular were these limited edition bottlings that a second accompanying release started to become available for the general public through retailers worldwide, but more often than not at a lower alcohol strength.
Ardbeg Ardcore is the Ardbeg bottling for 2022, using Black Malt Barley, which they claim is a first for use in whisky. Used mainly for darkening the colour of beer, the husk of the grain is often removed to reduce what would otherwise be a bitter note caused by the intense roasting needed to obtain such a dark colour.
The Ardbeg Ardcore ‘standard’ release is bottled at an ABV of 46% - the Committee Release is bottled at 51.8% - with no chill-filtration taking place, however it is not confirmed whether or not colouring is added.
MUSIC: ‘Kick The Can’ by The Mini Vandals - Free Licence

[@christinecamley]

I have recently had the Ten, UIG and Coreyvreckan and I think this is very much superb, outstanding single malt scotch. I don't bother with the special releases as they are ridiculously expensive and hit and miss for quality but the core lineup is delicious. The new bottle of UIG that I recently bought along with new bottles of the Ardbeg TEN and Coreyvreckan cost a lot but each expression is spectacular and the UIG is a symphony on my palette!! Seriously! It's the best batch I have ever had. I wish you could carry some in your store. It's so popular I would think even with a bigger order it would sell. There is such a huge Ardbeg following and I would think you'd have people asking for it? Maybe not! Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Kilchomen, Ardbeg - huge favourites. The core lineup has a lot of information out there to be able to give to customers. You are a little manicky here! Hey I go there sometimes too - it's too many espresso in the morning before work! It gets be jolted and AWAKE!!! Love your reviews! Do you carry Lagavulin and Laphroaig? In Canada we pay about $100 for the TEN, 135 for the UIG and $205, all before our high taxes, for these amazing Ardbegs - for me? It's 100% worth every penny. In Vancouver where I live we have an alcohol tax provincially - 15% in addition to a provincial and federal sales tax. Annoying!! Cheers!! 🙂

[@SteveSinclair1]

You must have watched a Ralfy rant before you started 😉 good review thanks. I am loving my bottle of corryvreckan at the moment

[@TheSpiritSpecialist]

Been a while since I've watched a Ralfy video - too busy! - but it seems I was channelling his spirit!

[@Hoopsjvl]

For me Ardbeg An Oa is the bottle I like for the price point.

[@TheSpiritSpecialist]

I think I agree with you there - I do love the standard 10yo but even that is starting to creep up to a price that's a tipping point...

[@justwhisky]

Appreciate your objectivity. Thoroughly honest review. Cheers 🥃

[@TheSpiritSpecialist]

I always try and be as honest as I can!

[@christinecamley]

Yup agreed. I stick to the core lineup and love them all enormously. The new UIG I just bought is the best batch I have ever had. Bliss!! Cheers John!! 🙂

[@justwhisky]

@@christinecamley getting geeky here but what is bottle laser code on back bottom of bottle of your new Ugi?

[@markbeiser]

I like it, just not for the price. It would be a good $60 bottle of whisky, but for the $120 it cost me, there are a great many whiskys that out class it by a wide margin.

[@TheSpiritSpecialist]

Fully agree - the price point is sadly just too high, there are plenty of heavily peated whiskies (not just from Islay) that have much more depth and complexity at the same cost.

[@BigmaseHdog]

Interesting review Ben. It’s good to hear you calling out the bullshit, it appears well deserved.

[@TheSpiritSpecialist]

It breaks my heart to rant about it though, the distillery has such a personal meaning for me but it really seems to becoming much more style over content :(

[@mrnosebear7406]

Hi Ben, Thanks for your honesty. I really enjoyed your video and your ranting to. I reminded my of Ralfy. I have the normal version at home and I bought the Committee Release as well. I gave it to my whisky club for sampling and drinking and I compared my sample with the normal version. If I had a sample I would have given to you. But due to Brexit it is nowadays difficult to send tings from Germany to the UK. Maybe one day I am able to come to your shop. Cheers from Oliver P.S. I have the same feeling about Ardbeg. Ardbeg is losing its spark. I deeply feel in love with Ardbeg in 2017 when visiting Islay.

[@TheSpiritSpecialist]

Hi Oliver - what did you think of the Committee Release compared to the 46% version?

[@andrewbutler7681]

I wonder if that 1977 you liked so much caught the tail-end of when they still had their own malting floor? I do think it is a shame that I have been more often disappointed with Ardbeg special releases than not (I think Auriverdes was the first one that made me think "is that it?"), but I'll try to be fair when my tasting pack arrives...

[@TheSpiritSpecialist]

Quite possibly. There definitely seems to be a depth and weight to older Ardbeg stock from before Glenmorangie revitalised it...

[@Hoopsjvl]

A bit THIN, may be the words you were looking for...

[@TheSpiritSpecialist]

Absolutely, that's the one!