Ardbeg 1996 GM Spirit of Scotland 51.7%

A gentle sherry-forward Ardbeg. Ardbeg ARDBEG 1996 GM SPIRIT of SCOTLAND 51.7% The nose offers gentle sherry, apricot jam, rich barley notes, fish stock dashi, light metallic tones and peat. On the palate, a smooth mouthfeel gives way to warm apricot jam sweetness, light cheese, slightly cool metallic notes, earthy leaf mold characteristics, and a long, strong finish. [Good/Very Good] This bottling comes from GM's Spirit of Scotland range, including Ardbeg 1990 and 2001 releases, indicating approximately 11 years of aging. The spirit was distilled just before Glenmorangie's acquisition in 1997. Likely bottled around mid-2000s with roughly 10 years of aging. While no specific notes are mentioned, the gentle sherry character wraps everything in a soft embrace, with warm jam-like sweetness. At the same time, there's a slightly subtle cool metallic note characteristic of Ardbeg, along with savory fishy umami and earthy leaf mold notes that add depth to the flavor profile. Personally, I imagine sherry-aged Ardbeg as a fusion of warmth and coolness that develops over time. Immediately after bottling, these elements can sometimes feel disjointed. This bottle has had time to develop a cohesive identity, with diverse flavor layers that made it enjoyable. #Ardbeg (ARDBEG)