whisky review 127 - Ardbeg Corryvreckan

... super peaty, super sexy, super collectable, super promoted super hyped Islay Malt lusted after by nouveau-collectors, Malt-anoraks and adored by marketing gurus.
... and a good Malt too.

[@andyye7858]

Need a re-review of this Ralfy!!!

[@stingfan24]

It's a NAS whisky. Ralfy no longer reviews those.

[@dudeduder2006]

@@stingfan24 what does NAS mean, please?

[@stingfan24]

@@dudeduder2006 No age statement.

[@dudeduder2006]

@@stingfan24 Thank you, kindly. 👍😁👍

[@Fatmanstan606]

Hear hear ☝️ 😌

[@jockojockoson9995]

Wowsers. You posted this 12 years ago. I turned 42 today and bought myself a bottle of this. Absolutely amazing! Cheers from Australia

[@charlesparnell2730]

I would love to see you re-review Corryvreckan.

[@juliaharbeck774]

For my husband's 65 birthday I bought him bottles of the Ardbeg 10, the Ardbeg Uigeadail, and the Ardbeg Corryreckan. It will be fun to see which he likes best.

[@keithrose4227]

Julia Harbeck we would all be lucky to have a wife like you!

[@_themanofsteele]

dhsilv2 I second this 😊

[@masterd_flabz7043]

So what was his favorite ardbeg?

[@triktrak_1451]

Fill us in on the results, Julia!

[@sidberns1373]

Interesting to see how your reviews have evolved over time. This is like an extras at the beginning with small review at the end 😀 love it !

[@xjimmy225x]

The first scotch I ever bought and still my favorite

[@cloudform]

I just bought Ardbeg 10 year old. OMG, it is amazing. I'm super impressed, but I don't know if I like it more than Yamasaki. I strongly recommend quality Whiskey to anyone. Ardbeg is one of the best.

[@freddieslaughter1107]

Hi Ralfy, Another great review, I was wanting to try this one, love all your reviews, best buying guide. please keep up the great reviews.

[@ddawson100]

Like a swarm of hornets that have been dancing on peat stacks. Mega ultra deluxe premium deluxe whiskey. Wonderful review.

[@Themilkmanskid.]

On a hike a few years ago in western Canada, following a trail that weaved through a valley of burned trees in the East Kootenays, we decided to go over to the rushing creek for a drink. A countless number of these charred trees had fallen across and into the creek, but didn't at all interfere with the colorlessness of it. Filled the water bottle and discovered something never before experienced. The water was flavored by the charred trees, and I thought that to be amazing! What an experience that was. I picked that very same flavor immediately in the Corryvreckan and it reminded me of that hike right away. Such a great experience! As an amateur scotch drinker of 10 drams in total, I highly encourage all to watch reviews like Ralfy's etc etc, and really give a dram a chance by learning to taste all the dimensions that come forth. I actually found more flavor in the Corryvreckan than I probably ever would have without reviews. Quite sure I also detected another smoke note in the dram. Besides the charred tree note, there was something else that I'm guessing was peat smoke. Charred barrel and peat smoke? I don't know, but thanks Ralfy and others for reviewing scotch!

[@Alexandru-Mihai]

First time tasting the Corryvreckan just now while watching the review. It is amaising to me that I am discovering these strong tastes while I hear you describe it. It's 10 years later, but Ardbeg Corryvreckan seems to still be a good one.

[@mjanovec]

Ardbeg is still pretty reasonably priced here in the USA...and the bottles are slightly larger at 750ml (instead of the UK standard of 700ml). I can get the 10yo for $40-45, the Uigeadail for $55-$60, and the Corryvreckan for $65-$70.

[@afinkeln]

"DAMP STUFF!" best flavor profile....EVER!

[@nickwoodward1511]

I still think the 10 is the best ardberg....a cask strength option would be amazing.

[@RocasThePenguin]

Nice to this bottle still around and decently priced. The 10, Ugi and the Corry are a nice staple of the Ardbeg range.

[@hatchetteamtoledo5094]

Opened this for the first time last evening. A beauty of a dram.

[@INDYNOIR1]

Had a taste last night, and it was so good that I went out and purchased a bottle today. I personally prefer this to the Uigadeail. Huge whisky and incredibly smooth at the same time. It seems to have some ripe black raspberry, blueberries...that balance so nicely with the huge smoke and peat. Can't say I've ever had a better whisky. Interesting the fruit in this reminded me a little of the Springbank 18...another one of my favorite whisky's. If you're okay with peat...you'll love it!!!

[@HenricMadsen]

"now, the whisky. Airgh Nam Beist" I thought you were reviewing Corryvreckan ;) I love this whisky! The best Ardbeg I have ever tasted was a cask sample that Mickey Heads brought with him to an Ardbeg masterclass. Brilliant Stuff! Good work on the reviews!

[@deaconkranz]

Just bought and opened my first bottle: OMG! Outstanding!

[@billyhughes9776]

Just watched this review again -- love it. "Nah, na, nah, na, nah! Bah-bye!" Lol,....

[@justinoconnor6720]

The two bottles of scotch I have open right now & have been working on for a few months are this Ardbeg Corryvreckan & a Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength. Strangely, I've been preferring the Laphroaig simply because I've experienced an almost unpleasant waxy aftertaste every time I've drank the Ardbeg. However! After having a glass of the Laphroaig followed by a glass of the Ardbeg, I find myself appreciating & noticing more of the peatiness & smooth complex flavors of the Ardbeg with much less notice of the waxy aftertaste that I had experienced before drinking the Ardbeg by itself. I found that interesting. Worth noting, neither of these two have I enjoyed quite as much as my two favorite bottles so far - being a Lagavulin 16, followed by a 2nd favorite of a Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 Heavily Peated. Ralfy, if you happen to read this - what might you recommend to me that you would say is similar to a Lagavulin 16, or that you believe someone who particularly enjoys a Lagavulin 16 would appreciate? In the states, the Lagavulin 16 is becoming slightly rare & more expensive than it used to be, and in addition to that, it can always be nice to try something other than what you typically reach for by default.

[@SoslanLokhov]

Try Ledaig 10 if you haven't already.

[@courtcomposer]

Greetings Ralfy. I love Ardbeg Uidegail, Tomatin 18, and Bruichladdich 10, which other Scotch would you recommend as a contrast to those above? Preferably complex and not too sweet. Thanks.

[@Temperdgrump]

Happy Holidays ralfy. I was wondering which do you recommend in the ardbeg range this whisky or uigeadail?

[@jkaygo]

agreed! I am loving the Glendronach 12. Can't wait to try the others

[@riteshnayak80]

Hey Ralfy, love your reviews, keep em goin :) One question, what do you do with the remaining whiskey post review?

[@Temperdgrump]

Hey Ralfy, what's your take on which is the better whisky between the Corrycreckan and the Uigeadail? I had the opportunity to taste both yesterday side-by-side and for some reason the Uigeadail took the round for me. Much more complex, more aromatic, better mouth feel somewhat like a Lagavulin. Corry seemed less viscous, less peaty, and much more medicinal like a Laphroaig. I'd like to hear what you think. Cheers!

[@dk2853]

Nice review, I would like to see you do Blasda, even though its not that good

[@leojanuszewski1019]

I agree with the last two posters below: We need a Ralfy re-review!

[@TimRice1]

Hornets indeed! I affectionately refer to the Corryvreckan as Habañero Scotch!!

[@zargoishere1]

Hi Ralfy. I just bought a Corrywreckan because they're discontinuing it in my state (Ohio) and I wanted to try a peaty scotch. The problem is that its TOO peaty and made me a little nervous about trying other ones that are known for their strong peat, and especially other Ardbeg's. It seams you not only gave the Uigeadail higher scores, but make it sound as if it's smoother and less smoky. Should I give it a try or start lower and build up my taste for peat?

[@dk2853]

@ralfystuff I understand, although I have heard good reviews of it as well. I guess I'll hold off on that one until I've tried a few other Ardbeg's

[@SingleServingJohn]

Hello! I've just ordered the Ardbeg SN2010 for my dad hoping it will make a fine birthday gift. I understand you are slightly disappointed of the Corryvreckan, giving it only 90 points, but is the supernova perhaps a more cheerful experience or a letdown as well? Greetings from Sweden, love your reviews!

[@freddieslaughter1107]

Thank you for your honesty

[@GregLynn]

Got myself a bottle of Corryvreckan recently. Ralfy is spot on. Attacks the tongue! Really good stuff. 10 y/o : Salty, Uigeadail: Creamy, Corryvreckan: Raisin / meaty. My entire collection consists of these 3 and Lahproaig's 10 y/o and Cask Strength. That's it. Smoke/Peat Central. :)

[@lthomas745]

What kind of glass is that at the front of the table?

[@dirladas]

Hi Ralfy, with all the respect, I believe you underestimated the Corryvreckan. I've been a peathead for long now and always enjoyed the 'TEN' and the 'Uigeadail' (till now my best), I also liked the 'Beist' (the most botanic), 'Rollercoaster' (the most salty) and 'Still Young' (unbelievable creaminess) and was amazed by the ;Rennaissance' but the other day I opened my Corry bottle with great anticipation. I have to say this is the best Ardbeg I've ever smelled and tasted. It's huge.

[@HOB1022]

desperately need a re-review

[@chrish12345]

Ralfy I couldn't help but see you use choc wrappers for the marks cards, would there be any chance of a review about which chocolate goes with which whisky? I heard they can go together quite well.

[@DrewHannush]

I had a chance to try this while at Ardbeg, along with the 22 year old and the rest of their line of whiskys (no doubt the 22 was my favorite). I couldn't stop going back to this Corryvrecken. Every taste was giving me something else. I loved the complexity of it. I wonder if you have plans on going back and trying it again? This review was a bit brief on the tasting notes although I enjoyed the Ardbeg history. It would also be interesting to see if the last 9 years have been kind to it, in your opinion.

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . I just wish they would 'infrom' customers with age statements.

[@DrewHannush]

@@ralfydotcom I agree. I'm in the USA so at least you chaps are better at it. I have a bottle of Old Charter 8. The 8 used to have "years old" by it. They left the 8 but took off the "years old." Sneaky! And it's the Buffalo Trace mash bill. It's a good cheap whiskey, but I almost don't want to buy it due to the deception.

[@Temperdgrump]

Hey ralfy I'm curious, what's the name of the glass that's in front of the Ardbeg box in this video? I've been trying to find it since it looks like a smaller Glencairns but nothing comes up on google with basic search terms. I'd appreciate your help. Thanks

[@johell999]

This is a weird episode of Ralfy for me. It almost seems Ralfy didn't like Ardbeg and was retentive to give a high score. Corryvreckan was my first peated whisky and was still one of my favorite bottle. Bonus point on it's a standard release that I can get it whenever I want from my local liquor store. Love it.

[@shuboy05]

I think Glendronach is going through a similar period where they are stuck using older stocks prior to the distillery being mothballed.

[@AzzyFuzzeh]

Finally another Ardbeg review. Awesome ralfy. What do you think of the new supernova? the 2010 version.. Hope to see more and more ardbeg in the near future. Keep up the good work rafly

[@Tantrum777]

@Silky2dope total wine has Ardbeg 10 for around 52 usd if you have one near you. but yea anything over 50 is rather high in my book.

[@AugustusCaesar88]

Hey Ralfy, ive managed to find some of Ardbegs "collectible" bottlings (supernover, corryvreckan, cadenheads authentic 14yr old cask/st) I personally find it to be a bit of a joke and would probably never drink one. Although, would you say buying a few bottles and storing them away for 5 - 10 years (maybe even longer) would be a wise investment, or would it not be worth the time and effort?

[@jj6082]

Amazingly in my state this bottle is only 75 dollars. Actually cheaper here than in England, crazy.

[@our-rob-or-ross]

It's my birthday in 3 days and i'm going to my local whisky shop in Blackpool to treat myself, the Uigeadail is £50 and the Corryvreckan is £64, should I spend the extra £14 for the Corryvreckan? Or is there another big strong peaty Islay to look out for? (Excluding the Lagavulin 16 as I already have 1 :-) ) The Laphroaig 18 perhaps?

[@TheJusnic82]

Wish I could find this stuff here...Hard enough to find Ardbeg 10, and I FINALLY got a hold of a bottle of Uigeadail but never seen this stuff here

[@tspnyc]

The video says this is a review of Corryvreckan. But it seems he is actually testing Airigh Nam Beist and he leaves Corryvreckan unopen on the other side of the table.

[@chriskingottawa]

Lucky you! Arbeg 10 is $99 in Ontario, Uigedail is $160 and Corryvreckan is $180!

[@ast453000]

13 years and no re-review? Is it no longer what it used to be?

[@leojanuszewski1019]

Great conclusion! 😄

[@glytch5]

So this whisky is sherry finished? Or just simply a cask strength older 10 year old?

[@UnannouncedGuest]

i love the ending of this video

[@alanbishop419]

Just started collecting and along with a lovely Dalwhinnie 15yo I purchased one of these. Would love to see a four year update....

[@kellyj5389]

got 50ml sample of this along with uigeadail 50ml with a regular bottle of Ardbeg10. I like Uigeadail better. (Definitely will purchase) This is fine....but more $$ than the latter. And almost twice as much as 10. I love the standard 10 also. Great value to me.

[@TristanJCumpole]

Surprisingly I would beg to differ. (Yes, this is somewhat of a late comment) Whether it is down to the quality of Uigeadail available now or not, we find that Corryvreckan is lovely. That wide deep character is fantastic whereas Uigeadail seems more "fragile" if that makes sense. Uigeadail ticks all of those Ardbeg boxes but doesn't seem such a boisterous dominating character. I wish I had a better "taste vocabulary"! Corry is like a big rich celebration, Uigi is like a small private party.

[@officinaenoica5134]

sei un grande!!

[@jesseregenauer630]

Thank you for the review from eight years back Ralfy!!! If you would be interested, would you do a review of the Ardbeg AN OA sometime??? I've purchased my second bottle recently and use it primarily as a blender for other scotch-----and yes I admit I occasionally have a dram out of it straight up by itself. I would LOVE to see what your flavor notes would be on the AN OA. It truly deserves your scrutiny...... :) SLAINTE!

[@markskillin678]

Ok, you predicted a downgrade of this bottle, I just tasted one in 2022...WOW!! so good, 57% and rich with pepper bacon and smoke. Still a great product. I think you owe Ardbeg an apology? (all in good fun)

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . I will buy a bottle and find out !

[@chrish12345]

I think the overpricing and lower quality has backfired - Ardbeg 10 has now gone back into Sainsburys and the last time I looked it was being reduced down to a mere 38 quid, which of course is still too much, but theyr'e probably having difficulty shifting the stuff now.

[@LordGeorgeRodney]

Sainsbury's whisky madness!! everything is 20% off including Ardbeg 10 which you can get for just under 24 quid! non chill-filtered at 46% Fantastic!

[@aframs-cctaf-rams-cct6424]

Ralfy, re-review and do you prefer this over the Uig?

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . prefer Uig.

[@SingleServingJohn]

@ralfystuff For my dad's next birthday, I'll make sure to check with you first! Perhaps the Uigeadail would've been a better choice. Crap. Haha!

[@xiamengbaby]

Time for a re-review of this one. Thanks.

[@GregLynn]

@ralfystuff : "I don't review what I would not recommend." Does that mean you would no recommend Laphroaig 10 Year Old standard? Over 200 reviews, you haven't done that one yet. Or is Cask Strength similar enough?

[@billyhughes9776]

I've watched this review three or four times. Ralfy was shot out of a cannon for this one -- raging on Ardbeg. Sipping some Corryvreckan right now. Intense stuff -- still like th 10 year old better. I have an unopened bottle of Uigeadail in my cabinet,....

[@poorks]

this whisky is divine, anyone will love it - alltho it does say "the corryvreckan is not for the faint-hearted". It's amazing abit costy, but well worth it. BUY IT!

[@dickaround]

Ralfy, your re-review 2013 of Ardbeg Corryvreckan vanished a few hours ago! I was about to watch it...

[@ralfydotcom]

+Laurent Leroy . . . this was my re-review, it was Uigeadail kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6bMgmOpf5dqjKs

[@dickaround]

I know of your Uigeadail re-review, but you had a re-review of Corryvreckan, hadn't you? I was about to watch it; it was in my list to see, but it was removed.

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . I have only reviewed (and bought) Corry once !

[@dickaround]

I am very surprised, but I trust you.

[@bishop131313]

I'm getting the feeling that I used the word point(s) a little inflationary. Hope you get my POINT though...

[@thebluick]

wow, I just bought a bottle of this for $83 USD

[@DannoCrutch]

Malty Manifestations!

[@coreyelias5035]

Great ending

[@kirumdas]

Re-review! Re-review! Re-review!

[@shuboy05]

I've read on the whiskey forums a story of someone giving his wife a sip of Ardbeg Supernova at a party. She then spent the rest of the evening like the dog who was given peanut butter.

[@jonathanbarshaul]

0.50 God bless you Ralfy

[@jonathanbarshaul]

I have gotten to love Correy with Raw Ghost Chiles. What about for a Malt mention..."Malty Motivational, magical, Mash tuns.

[@michaellambright7968]

Little snarky at the end there, Ralfy.

[@crse2010]

9:50 till end::: EPIC

[@Megawatt]

Ardbeg 10 jumped from $77 to $99 in Ontario overnight...before I got a chance to buy.

[@magnusfranzonuvebrant9519]

I just now watched this review after watching review 936. Do you posess a chrystal ball dear Sir!?!

[@krakkajackson]

I'd love to try it but the availability over here is awful.

[@TheJusnic82]

45 to 50 pounds for Uigeadail? I just found it here in Canada for 79.00 a bottle which compared I think a pound is 2.23 canadian at the moment so that's actually a very good price. Ill have to buy a few more bottles (since I seen it at ONE other place for 129.00 Canadian)

[@Polyfusia]

Not anymore. It's $175 a bottle now and $205 for the Corryvrecken

[@yeaman992]

Just found a Corryvreckan for 69 bucks, now that's a good deal!

[@jonathanmoga5188]

@@Polyfusia in ontario these are a total ripoff.

[@jonathanbarshaul]

I am From the Wee State of Delaware in the USA

[@StefanoMaviegacps]

Rally are you not reviewing NAS whiskies?Currently

[@ralfydotcom]

. . . not at the moment. Unless I just say they are all '3 years old'.

[@StefanoMaviegacps]

@@ralfydotcom fair enough but I feel that we are having some good NAS options in a good price and that could be reviewed by yourself like for example: Laphroaig Lore

[@ralfydotcom]

@@StefanoMaviegacps . .. I have mentioned Lore in an 'Extras' video, positively

[@StefanoMaviegacps]

@@ralfydotcom Yeah I saw that you did in some of your videos. I really loved this whisky. Unfortunately you just "mentioned", we couldn't see a full review like you do so well and natural for the others whiskies with age statement, btw thanks for your attention answering me, I really appreciated that. I am your fan and I hope you keep this kind of communication with your public. :) malt puddings :) lol! Salute from Brazil!!!

[@ralfydotcom]

@@StefanoMaviegacps . . . happy to share.

[@IlanDavid]

I think it's just a slip of the tongue. He does drink a corryvreckan. on both bottles the lettering curves at the end. maybe that's why he made a mistake.

[@ADSCP]

Would love to watch a new review of this one from Ralfy but I have the feeling it won’t be that sympathetic…I wonder.

[@bishop131313]

Please folks, don't focus on points. I don't think that is Ralfys main point. The corry has some negative points, as he said, it's getting slightly (not easy to notice) spoapy, very slightly metallic and has got a rather sharp (not just heavy, which is good) alcohol. Besides these little offnotes, it's a very good whisky. And come on, 90 is very good! For excellence, it's got to be a little bit older. Just a few years and a few less "soapier" casks would do.

[@maciej4725]

9:44 Lindt Excellence Chili? :)

[@mihailofsx]

malt mark, written on a lindt chocolate carton :))

[@Equity213]

@Megawatt Thats absolutely crazy. Ardbeg 10 in Alberta goes for between $60-$70. Uigeadail and corryvreckan for for between $100-$120. Even that is insane. Ralfy has said it in another video and he is right: this is discrimination and we should do something about it. I guess we are just sinful people with sinful hobbys and we should be taxed at a higher rate to discourage such naughty behaviour.

[@ddawson100]

8:23 Did he call it Airigh Nam Beist by accident? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIbMhIOflp6KoZIm23s

[@p1zuzu]

yes he did.

[@jonathanbarshaul]

8:52-9:02-It's like he got overtaken by a poltergiest-Additionally I am a singer and I use "it attacks your tongue" as a vocal warmup technique.

[@vigil12348]

They sell the 10 yo for 30 quid in Britain?! In Bulgaria Diageo/Avendi sell it for the equivalent of 34 pounds and the average sallary here is 310 Euros per month. This is quite unfair pricing...

[@Radders123]

£48 in duty free at Heathrow and Gatwick

[@ZiGGyMaidEN]

hehe Seashell?

[@haikus575]

Yeah, he says "airigh nam beist" at 8:23. That's disappointing.

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Ralfy, Towards the end of the video you remark that it has a touch of sherry about it yet all my research suggests that it has been matured in 100% ex-bourbon casks.

[@ralfydotcom]

to me there are sherry notes in the smell and taste. Sherried Ardbeg can be double matured in bourbon casks which may explain it.

[@RocasThePenguin]

+ralfystuff French oak has been used to mature this whisky as well as bourbon.

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

+Bryan Usrey. Yes you are correct.I found a whisky forum where a group had just visited Ardbeg and they had tasted the Corryvreckan. Contrary to older reviews as well as The Malt Whisky Year Book 2015 which states that it was matured in Ex-Bourbon and then finished in Virgin French oak cask, they were told at the distillery that it was definitely finished off in ex French red Burgundy wine casks.The natural dark colour is not E150a but red wine from the wood they were told.Moreover they all said that you could taste the red Burgundy wine in the whisky!!!Perhaps this is a new batch?

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

@sneksnekitsasnek Rather than Spanish sherry, I believe it is red wine.

[@HotCornerPula]

I am such a whiskey noob.. hahaha.. I got this from a good friend for a birthday present... OMG this is just to strong for my inexperienced taste... i tried it.. it was just to much for me to handle... 5 minutes later i went for a bottle of Glenfiddich just to readjust my stomach... haha.. noob... very good review btw!

[@ericforsyth]

Vladimir Jurišić Peaty might just not be for you. Would be interesting to hear if you have adjusted. Plenty of good non-smoky single malts, though!

[@trumpet90909]

Supply and demand my friend. Whisky is exploding, especially in Asian markets. It's also not helped by the hoards of new young collectors buying it up and never opening it.