2006 Ardbeg 17 Year Old "Dramfool - Red Bag" Bourbon Hogshead Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Nobody needs me to sit here and tell them this is absolutely delicious. We know it's going to be excellent. There's almost no bad Ardbeg, but the big question is whether it's worth the money and I'm here to say unequivocally yes. Sure it has no official name attached, but I don't think they could make it any more clear what the source is. And to be honest the distillery doesn't release single casks to the public, so there's not a lot of comparison for modern bottlings, but if you search around you'll find the occasional OB or IB distilled around this period and they're inevitably 3-4 times the price Dramfool is asking. The distilleries own 19 year, which is not to be trifled with, does not boast the high proof or single cask credentials. Other independents that might have bottled similar vintages 4-5 years ago are trading well above this price point. So we know its going to be good and that it's well under market for something of similar specifications, but how good could it possible be? Well freakin' fantastic. Firstly you notice the exceptional color, a gorgeous deep copper color, a true rarity for even a fresh hogshead that's not VERY old. At first nosing, it's not overtly in your peat monster range. Instead the nose has a powerful fresh almond character, with exotic citrus, rich earthy bark, smoldering incense, Bactine, dried golden raisins and salted caramel. It definitely starts on the prettier side of the BAG without any really salty fish or too much soot. But when it hits the palate, it's a different story. The first note is the oily texture. It's thick and sits on the lips slicking them before the entry. Then is rich sooty smoke right up front which relinquishes into exotic incenses and oils, lanolin, dried yellow plums and fancy black tea. With water it adds a deep tropical quality to the nose. Still not teasing out huge amounts of peat aromatically, but the active wood I think has interacted in a lovely way to offer a sort of different take on the old South Shore stalwart. Now with air you're getting some really nicely mature peat after all, still with the oily and nutty more prominent than the salty. The palate is still forward on the peat up front and now adding pepper and sweet dried fruit on the finish. This one loves air and a bit of water. It will only disappoint those hoping for a stinky fish bomb of some kind. Most other lovers of Ardbeg will appreciate the juxtaposition of power and nuance that it offers, albeit in the context of a solidly active hogshead.