Sorry but I think you guys missed the boat on this one. Blaaack is really a fantastic dram! The best annual release since Dark Cove. Unctuous and delicious . Try the white label Committee Release because I think it's the better version. Do yourselves a favor and get it below the neck and re-review it in two weeks.
I always get my hands on several Committee Release bottles so if you’re ever looking for them let me know. I’ve driven all over Scotland, trust me. They’ve got more sheep than people and long red haired cows too. I love both Blaaacks, second only to the Dark Cove. I’m a big Pinot Noir fan as well (especially with smoked salmon) but I agree, it doesn’t taste like a Pinot. It’s too light of a red grape that won’t compete with peat, unlike Sherry or PX.
Never judge an Ardbeg with neck pour, after shoulder give it 2-3 weeks and then review it. With wine cask finish whiskey you are not suppose to feel the taste of wine and be able to differentiate which wine cask is used, and being disappointed because you can't feel the specific wine character is kinda unprofessional in my opinion. Keep up good work guys, 👍
How long have you guys had your bottle open before you reviewed? I’m on my second bottle and after having it open for a few weeks it is my favorite annual release since Dark Cove. The Pinot Noir note though was present from the beginning.
It's not easy beating Ardbeg 10! Btw if you want a well matured and balanced peated Single Malt with a red wine maturation then buy a bottle of Longrow Red.
After watching the video, I am wondering if you had allowed the glass to open up a bit prior to trying. I did enjoy on the neck pour, but we did noticed that the glass opened up after about 30 minutes. I do need to revisit and try it again, probably on Thursday
Yeah the committee release is definitely better. That’s a shame they couldn’t deliver a similar experience with the public release. I’ve only had the committee and I think it’s fantastic.
It reminds me of one of those dark chocolate oranges that you crack open. Definitely Orange but with a creaminess and dark chocolate and spice. I liked it so much I went back and found two more bottles at 120$ each.
I think you may have a defective bottle. I have some testing equipment, you should send me your bottle. I’ll send you a full report in a month or two with the results. It’s a destructive test and the sample sizes are large so it will probably take up the rest of your bottle, but sounds like that shouldn’t be a problem.
I have been lucky enough to try this standard release and the committee release. Completely agree with you guys at 1.825. However the Commitee release is absolutely sublime. A completely different animal. I was shocked how different they are. Get a bottle of the committee and I’m sure you’ll be impressed!
There are at least 2 cases of this at my local @ $115 a bottle and it sits there. Tells me all I need to know I guess. I am an Ardbeg fan, absolutely love Corryvrecken. Have not tried this because of the price and some mixed reviews. Erik Wait loves this stuff. Rob (whiskey in the 6) liked it just not at that price. I'll continue to pass on it, especially when Corryvrecken is $79 and Uigeadal is $67 for me locally. Very solid review, Cheers!
The first few times I had this, I thought it was too light and lacking any of the real body that I've come to expect from Ardbeg. However after it opened up a bit, I tasted it blind against Cory and Oogie; while it was easy to label them all, it did give me a new appreciation for this dram.
I love this bottle. Its way sweeter than ardbeg 10. To me has a longer finish than ugi. But my first love was laphroaig. And it definitely has that sooty iodine note I love in laphroaig. To me it is best of both worlds. But you are right, the wine doesn’t show up as the main player. Don’t add water to this either.
Pinot Noir is such a delicate grape and wine that it likely cannot compete with the smoke of the Ardbeg. You would need a Cabernet or a Zinfandel to add enough influence to the scotch to get any influence from the wine I would think.....
I skipped Blaaack but got to try it on a belated Ardbeg Day session. I wasn't overly impressed, there's a very subtle sweetness and I'm sure it improves as the bottle gets more air but wow I'd rather have An Oa, I actually thought Drum was a more impressive release... After tasting it I began playing with Ardbeg and my wine finished whiskies and eventually after quite a bit of experimentation, I found a mix of the Arran Amarone Cask (20%) and Ardbeg An Oa (80%) to be a much better 'red wine finished' Ardbeg whisky.
sometimes distilleries are trying to hit homeruns or make a big splash with each new release, Maybe they should try to focus on continually improving many of the great versions that they already produce
I don’t understand these special releases from Ardbeg. I can get uigeadail or corryvreckan for half the price or cheaper. These standard releases are just as good if not better.
SO GLAD!!! I didn't buy this bottle!!! Great review S4D's!! and i almost pulled the trigger on that bottle!! i went ahead and 2-bottles of kilkerran =12 cheaper then the BLACCK!!
I enjoy all of your reviews, but the cat in the back left, Andrew, doesn't seem to like anything. Can you please direct me to a review where he likes something at 3.5 or above? Thank you. Keep up the good work all y'all dummies!
