New Release: Ardbeg Ar9 Speciality Drinks Elements of Islay for Feis Ile 2017 51.6%

Personally, for the festival, I prefer this over the official release. Ardbeg Ar9 Speciality Drinks Elements of Islay for Feis Ile 2017 51.6% The aroma features rich sherry, prunes, bitter chocolate and coffee, barbecue with seafood and meat, charred barley, strong peat. When drinking, it's warm with rich sherry, bitter chocolate and coffee, a jammy sweetness balanced by woody character and a pronounced tannic finish, rich umami, strong peat, leather, with a long finish. [Good/Very Good] This is the ninth release in the Elements of Islay series from Specialty Drinks (Whisky Exchange), featuring Ardbeg. It was released in time for this year's Feis Ile, and it appears that Whisky Exchange participated as a company in the festival. This Ardbeg is heavily influenced by sherry casks, with little of the original spirit's distinctive metallic or sharp cool nuances. Instead, it feels warm and sweet, with a clear peat presence, reminiscent of the savory sweetness of barbecue eaten with a sweet sauce. The house style is somewhat ambiguous, but many appreciate the rich sherry cask Islay malt. Personally, I prefer this over the official festival keg. #Ardbeg (ARDBEG)