Ardbeg 1974 18 Year Old Cadenhead's 150th Anniversary Bottling 57.7%

The impression differed from the previous time I drank it. Ardbeg ARDBEG 1974-1992 18yo Cadenhead's 150th Anniversary Bottling 57.7% one of 215 bottles The aroma has strong cool metallic notes, earthy peat and barley, vanilla and custard cream, fresh citrus and faint plum, powerful barley sensation, gravelly earthy tones, and a strong smoky note reminiscent of smoked grass. When drinking, it expands powerfully with sharp, intense peat, faint plum, strong metallic notes, pleasant sweetness, smoked seafood, clear contours with a crisp finish, and a slightly oily, sharp peaty long aftertaste. [Very Good/Excellent] This is Ardbeg 1974, aged for 18 years, from Cadenhead's 150th Anniversary bottling. This is the second serious tasting of this bottle. The previous time, I distinctly felt the metallic notes and sharp peat, along with a cool nuance enveloping everything, giving an impression that was somewhat bland and reserved in elements other than its distinctive characteristics. At the time, I thought of it as 'plain oak with high proof Cadenhead plus a strong-charactered Ardbeg 74,' but this time it was different. Of course, the typical Ardbeg from the 1970s distillation, with strong metallic notes, unique gravel-like earthiness, and sharp peat, was clearly present. However, unexpectedly, fruity elements were noticeable, giving a nuance that made me think it might have been a sherry cask refill. This was also true in the flavor, where sweetness felt stronger than before. While the 'character' was more pronounced in the previous tasting, I actually preferred this time's flavor. The previous experience had a very stubborn impression, like drinking something freshly bottled, so perhaps I drank it too quickly due to its excellent preservation condition. If more time had passed since opening, or if I had taken my time to drink it after pouring, I might have experienced the aroma and flavor like this time. Differences in aging, preservation conditions, and drinking conditions often lead to different impressions compared to previous tastings, but I think the essential nature remains largely unchanged. This time's deviation from expectations is why I decided to share it. This bottle was opened at the 10th anniversary of Walku Hall in Takada, Nakano. #Ardbeg (ARDBEG)