Ardbeg Blaack (like a sheep, get it!!!) is the latest committee release from the peat-forward distillery on the southern coast of Islay. We picked this up from K&L, our local spirits shop, not expecting that it was one of the rarer committee release bottlings, and were delighted when we got home and noticed what it was. Blaaack is aged in Pinot Noir casks from New Zealand.
[UPDATE] Thanks to Tom S.’s comment making it clear that this isn’t actually the committee release. Super confusing!
Summary
Nose: Crushed grapes, burned chocolate, charcoal smoke. Smoked cherry pie, lapsang tea, smoked brisket, beef jerky, vanilla cream.
Palate: Surprisingly soft and fruit forward on the palate. Light table wine, chamomile tea. Honey and caramel. Tart cherries and cocoa, the wine cask shines through, muted peat, oily mouthfeel. Lingering smoke and bitter chocolate powder.
Pros
Cons
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Despite the (intentionally) misleading call out on the label this is the regular release. The committee release is a cream label 50.7% ABV version. I also picked this up at K&L and was underwhelmed, especially compared to the significantly less expensive Laphroaig Cask Strength Batch 11 I grabbed on the same day. Cheers!
That's messed up! Thanks for the heads up Tom. Wonder how that cask strength batch matches up to the latest Cairdeas. Been meaning to get a new Laphroaig bottle!