I've been mad at this for a while. | Ardbeg 10 REVIEW 

Brilliant as always G.

This is pleasant to hear. I remember your Top 10 not long ago. I agree with you that the Wee Beastie is good stuff!

Ukrainian here. Thanks for your support! Such a warm feeling to see Ukrainian flag on the video from one of my fav channels. ❤️

Hey Geoff nice review as always. When I first started tasting whisky I hated hearing 'this bottle isn't what it used to be'. It always made me feel like I missed the 'golden days' or I'm paying more for an inferior product. Now that I know more about the industry and the making of the process I realise these things will happen as demand increases but it doesn't necessarily mean the end product is shit. In a couple of years we'll get used to the new bottles and it won't feel as stark a change but we can and will still reminisce about the good old days :) It's a fluid and evolving industry and I'm just happy to be able to see the changes. Cheers my friend, always a pleasure to watch your videos 🥃

Thanks for taking the time to do a mini comparison to the 5. Seems you’ve done justice to Ardbeg. Peated pleasures, FTW

Great review Geoff....I am still doing well with the Ugi however, I need to get my hands on the Ardbeg 10. Glad to hear your comment on Port Charlotte 10 vs. Ardbeg 10. I Agree with you on Wee Beastie.

Great result Geoff. My most recent Ardbeg 10s were great and I was so shocked when you put the Talisker above it on your list. I’m crazy for the Port Charlotte 10 though! What’s with the Mariokart in the background again dude? Is it like some Easter egg thing you got going on?

Thank you for your review. I am glad that Ardbeg Ten is better now than a few years ago. It is an old love of mine too. I didn't like Ardbeg 5 yo. It was not vibrant enough. I also prefer the Port Charlotte 10 yo. I have bought it thanks to you.

Great review as always. Please do the Corryvreckan!!!

Great review, just picked a bottle up so hopefully it’s not disappointing, it was 30% off retail so can’t complain. I’m planning to pick up the Port Charlotte next thanks for the info

Hah, the classic one! Only had tried Ardbeg 10 two years ago, and it's really unique as your tasting description. Way much amazing years ago? That's incredible!

Like you, Geoff, it was Ardbeg that first turned me on to Islay whiskies. But I too have been less than delighted with recent bottlings. Slainte!

I love the Uigeadail. Can't resist that christmas sherry note. I was really let down, when I tried the 10Y last summer. I might give it another try, maybe in the miniature bootle set with the Wee Beastie and the An Oa.

I love the Ardbeg core range. Corry is my fav. The 10yo for me is calmer and slightly more balanced than the 5yo. But I can't rule one over the other. Both are good for diffrent reasons. I've never been intrested in the over priced special releases. I won't pay an additional 100 bucks just for a story on a sub 100 dollar whisky. Thank you for the intresting review 🤗

Bro I agree w/you 100%. Recently had the 10yr for our wedding anniversary. Was so disappointed, almost ruined the evening. BUT: had Kilkerran 16 after, which more than compensated for the bad experience.

Nice.. I have an unopen liter of Ardbeg 10...$52us no tax at my Phnom Penh store. Time to crack it open.. I cannot get the Port Charlotte 10... Just an older NAS..or the other 10. Talisker I can get...But, have the DE...it is 10+.. Nice review buddy. I am single again and kind of busy with interviewing local talent.. Cheers..

Great review. I personally prefer the Wee Beastie. It's darker than the 10 and slightly sweeter. I think it might be sherried a bit. Anyway I normally go for the Corryvreckan. That stuff is incredible. I normally don't like spending that much on an nas, but it's so damn good.

I'm kinda impressed that you can really differentiate different Ardbeg10's. Still the least expensive by me. So it's still the King. I found that WeeBeastie and Lagavulin 8 were more comparable and that the Ardbeg10 had some nice age and lost that crazy youthful liveliness.

Like you, one of my first Islay loves. And shockingly, Ardbeg core ranges have started showing a distinct batch variation. I haven't enjoyed my recent bottles like I used to. It somehow lost its lovely smoked bacon and pastrami notes. I get smoked ham, sharp cheese and a citrus dryness usually associated with some white wines. I'm glad you got a good bottle. I hope my next one is better. Cheers mate!

Just picked up a bottle of this for reasonable duty-free price. Hope it will be good

I only am into my second bottle and still in love. For me still one of my favourites. I don't rebuy too many bottles😬

Great whisky indeed, but surprisingly i've tried as well the Ardbeg 5 and i like it even more! More peated and intense and it costs far less money.

Hmm. Few weeks ago I drank one of the mini bottles decanted from an Ardbeg 10 I bought 6 years ago. Compared it side by side to a brand new bottle. Maybe my tastes aren’t sophisticated enough, but I tried to discern a difference and could not. One other thing I’ve noticed about the 10 and the 5, they seem to benefit from time in the glass more than most whiskies. I’ve compared a glass 15 minutes after pouring with a glass an hour after pouring. Difference was very pronounced.

Just opened a bottle a couple nights ago and it is good but a little bit too smokey for my taste. I will continue to try it and it might change. Is something like the Talisker 10 less smokey?

Hey Geoff/Jeff/G-Man with the whiskers, have you ever tried some 6:04 Big Peat? It's a whiskey that I'm pretty interested in but don't see many reviews from by creators that I enjoy/respect. Thanks for the review, I've been hesistant to get an Ardbeg cause I know it's a cult and all that, but I can get a Laphroaig for half as much and a Lagavulin 16 (Or even PC10) for like, 10 euros more here in France and think I'll probably go with those rather than trying to hunt down an Ardbeg (I've never seen a bottle in real life yet), especially if the Ardberts are phoning it in at the moment! :)

Luckily Ardbeg uses bottling dates on the back of the bottle to differentiate their batches, so we can keep track which ones are the better ones. Sad to hear that they aren’t consistent anymore. Was afraid of this so been skipping them since 2 years, but I enjoyed them before that very much.

I love peat and Ardbeg is good whiskey but it does lack a bit of depth there is some sweetness underneath the peat but its not pulling me back in for more. I've had several expressions and own a 10 year old and the An Oa. Laphroaig hits me right in the sweet spot especially the 48 plus abv versions.

Used to have alot of Tens and Uigies when I first got into whisky about 10-15 years ago. (Especially Uigies - probably drank more of that expression than I'll ever drink of any other whisky expression). Then rising prices kind of made me forget about whisky altogether for a while, and when I came back Ardbeg seemed to have become more of a hype machine, instead of a great distillery. Nevertheless, I recently bought that "Monsters of Smoke" tasting pack to try the Ten (along with the Wee Beastie) - and I really enjoyed the Ten. Of course that may be an outlier, but I'm really liking that 200 ml bottle of the Ten. Especially the nose is great, but the palette is very enjoyable too, if just a tad soft - it could do with a being a bit fuller. Still, it's kind of like rekindling an old flame. Happy to hear indications that maybe this wasn't just an outlier. Will probably buy a full bottle soon. Still not going to try a modern bottling of Uigedail though, for fear of disappointment and ruined memories.

Interesting. I too was disappointed with my last bottle of the 10. It would have been the 2019 release. Flat und somewhat uninspiring distillate hiding behind a wall of peat. Good to hear its getting better.

Thanks Geoff. I’ll probably always keep Ardbeg 10 on the shelf. It’s a good benchmark by which present and future peated and smoky whiskies might be compared. My theory about not declaring non coloring is that, once it appears on the label on any expression, it’s glaringly obvious that it’s missing elsewhere. I’m not defending them, but would there be the same controversy about the new GlenDronach 12 decision to remove full disclosure, if it had not been there to begin with.

Very accurate review. I like better Ledig or Arran 10.

I hadn't realized it but now as I watch your video I DO think there is some bottling inconsistency in the Ardbeg 10. I'd thought it was just my palate changing but maybe not. It isn't my first choice either but I still like it.

What is the bottling date on this one? I have a 2021 edition which is vastly infeior to the 2019 bottling I had before. The 2021 is sour/bitter across the line and thin, while the 2019 was more sweet and move more vibrant across the board. Needless to say, I will aim for other brands for peated whisky, as long as Ardbeg keep churning out special edition sillyness, instead of maintaining their cask-policy and make the core range competitive and pleasant again.

It’s a classic, I prefer the Beast even at par, more fruit and sweet, however in our market it is around 20-25% cheaper too, so no brainer to get that instead of the 10, cheers🎉

I just purchased a bottle and I actually love the bottle design. I give the bottle design a 4.5, it's my favorite part of the whisky. As a beginner, I love the peated whisky concept (I watched a few youtube videos about the process, which is so cool!), but I'm not sure if I love the actual taste. Maybe I should try an Isla whisky with a slightly less peated flavor. My 4-year-old son (and buddy) saw me drinking it and got a whiff of it. He said "Da, it smells like the doctor's office" 😂

Ardbeg 10 was also my first love and I too have been INCREDIBLY disappointed with them ever since ~2018. The 10, Uigeadail, corryvreckan all massive letdowns (the 5 and scortch were pretty good though). It's so bad that my 2020 bottle of the 10 tastes far worse than my 2017 bottle of the 10 that's been sitting with only the heel left for years. Good to hear they are finally turning the corner. What was the bottle code on this one? That would tell us what year this came from.

I tried it a few times but never really jived with it... I'm aware I wasn't yet really into peat though (although I did love Laphroaig right off the bat). Crazy deal popped up today, I had to pull the trigger. Glad to give this another chance.

It's said that uiegadal is one of the best peated out there, is it true?

I've had a few bottles over quite a few years now and I've always found Ardbeg 10yo as one of the best whisky from Islay. But I recently recived an Ardbeg 10yo from my old father as a gift, and that specific bottle was bottled in 2008, so it was distilled in 1998. I friend of mine sent me 2 samples of Ardbeg 10yo from 2019 and 2021, to compere with the one from 2008 and both of us was really blown away by the big difference.....the one from 2008 was SO much better in every possible way. The other 2 was, like really cheap versions of the one from 2008. The difference was so big that I really don't know if I'm gonna buy any more Ardbeg 10yo?? I'm gonna enjoy the one from 2008 as long as possible, and share it with friends, so they get the opertunety to taste it. I really think that Ardbeg should step up a bit regarding the 10YO. So my new favorite peated from Islay now is the Port Charlotte 10YO, no doubt. And the exploration series is great, atleast the 2 I've yet tasted, PAC:01 2011 and MC:01 2009

Can we expect a comparison between Ardbeg 10 vs New Talisker 10 ?

One additional mention. I have recently tried some Islay scotch's such as McClelland's and Scarabus that are for those on a budget to see if Ardbeg 10 can be replaced. To my dismay, even as Ardbeg has lost some of its appeal, those others don't match up. The less costly bunch have a harsh bite which is not worth the effort since the peat is simply not there. Again, as I have mentioned in other posts, Kilchoman Sanaig is a better substitute. That said, I am enjoying an Ardbeg 10 at this very moment and although somewhat disappointed it is still better than the lower cost Islay's.

I love this whisky, but I've only ever purchased one bottle.

Hmm. I wonder what bottling dates of Ardbeg 10 were found to be the meh ones. Some stores by me have the older dates available. Like 2015-2017 or so. If those are good I'll stock up on those.

Ardbeg 10 has been inconsistent. My current bottle is good. But have had some meh experiences recently that has me going to PC more. and Ledaig when available. The Wee Beastie is only about 5 bucks less so 10 is the go to. It's better. Haven't tried Corry in a minute. Corry was my second favorite behind Octomore, hope it still sits there. Was a bit disappointed by last Uggie i got. PC beat it out in blind test I did as well. Think I'll do a blind peated next weekend...it's great to reset bias.

After the Wee Beastie this tasted like more mature and less sharp. I say this maybe it’s because I am yet new to Peated & Smokey Whiskey culture

Time for a review of the Corryvreckan or An Oa!

I think that they are keeping the old stuff to put in the committee releases instead of using it in the core releases to keep the quality up

Here's my current unopened bar. 1 of each. Can you please tell me 2 things .. 1) If you think I have good taste. 2) If you think any of them will be worth a lot one day! 1) Glendronach 21 2) Lagavulin 16 3) Redbreast 12 CS 4) Redbreast 21 5) Old Pulteney 15 6) Benromach 15 7) Old Forester 1920 8) Scallywag winters edition 9) Dewar's 32 double double 10) Talisker 10 (old one) 11) Talisker D.E. (2019) 12) KIlchoman Loch Gorm 13) Kilchoman Sanaig 14) Tamdhu 15 15) Tamdhu batch strength 6 16) Tomatin Decades ll 17) Elements of Islay Pete 18) Elements of islay bourbon cask 19) Nikka in the barrel 20) Port Askaig 100 proof 21) Glen grant 15 22) Port Charlotte 10 23) Bunnahabhain Ceobanach 24) Amrut Fusion 25) Glencadam 15 26) Glen Garioch 12 27) Compass box spice tree (latest release) Thanks !

I've enjoyed the entire Ardbeg line and hold Ardbeg 10 in high regard. I completely agree that Ardbeg 10 has lost that long lasting peat flavor. First, Kilchoman Sanaig has come along with classic Islay peat and the kind of finish Ardbeg used to have. There was a time Ardbeg 10 was the first to reach for but now Kilchoman Sanaig is taking that position.

I had the 5 recently and it wasn't really peaty.l paid £33 in Tesco for the 5.

"Fishnets".. Jaysus wept.. Keep outta the Missus knicker drawer GMan.. Have to say I had 2 freebies in the job last Friday night.. A Greenspot Château something or other n an Oban 14. The Scotch dram won the race by a country mile.

The Wee beastie dissappointed me, the one time that I tasted it, it may be a case of high expectations due to the hype, but thát one felt dull and tame compared to my earlier encounters with Ardbeg.... -I love my Uigedail though, can't imagine how amazing it has been earlier, if earlier iterations were superior to the current ones....

Nice review, Geoff. Credit should be given when credit is due :) For me Ardbeg 10 is a solid, OG peated Islay malt. I have finished a bottle (bottled in 2018) of it around 2 years ago and have a backup (bottled in 2020) in the stash. Meanwhile I have tasted Ledaig 10 and Port Charlotte 10. I enjoy Ledaig 10 the same as Ardbeg but Port Charlotte 10 tops them both in my book. 10 days ago I bought a bottle of Talisker 10 (2021 release) on special sale but haven't opened it yet. Value wise, although the price have been steadily creeping up the last year it is still decent value. In Bulgaria the Ten can be had for ~47 euros. Ledaig 10 is ~44 euros, PC10 was ~52 the last time it was available and Talisker 10 costs ~36 euros (when not on special sale). So, all in all the Ten is priced somewhere in the middle among its peers. For me Wee Beastie is not a viable alternative of the Ten. Price is only slightly lower but the malt itself is even lesser. The profile is somewhat richer but delivered too weakly despite the sightly higher ABV. Still, competent malt, but I prefer the Ten. Or Kilchoman Machir Bay which is even cheaper than Wee Beastie. Cheers!

Good review Geoff,it can’t be that hard to put those two little words on the label ,can it? Always got Ardbeg 10 in my cupboard. Do prefer port Charlotte 10 though.price here for Ardbeg 10 sits between Ledaig 10 and port Charlotte 10. I do prefer the 10 over the 5 , nothing wrong with it though. Slàinte Geoff.

No one beat Ardbeg 10 price/ quality ratio…Ledaig 10 is close….period

As an American maybe you should stick to reviewing budweiser and bourbon. Mmmk?

3 bottles in the last couple of years, might partly be my palate but not only for sure a decline in quality/each one thinner and simpler...won't bother again

he said fishnets..😂💀💀

Sorry guys, i try Ardbeg 10, almost 2 year from then, and for me that was a worst whisky i ever tried. Just peat taste and nothing more. Maybe i get bad bottle. And i finish with all Ardbegs😂

Interesting price comparison with PC10, Ledaig 10, and Talisker 10. In Oregon Ardbeg 10 is the cheapest of the four. In the last year or so I could find it for about $55. I think it’s $59.95 now, whereas PC10 has been $69.99 for quite a while. Talisker 10 has been $71.95, again for a long time. As for Ledaig 10, I can’t find it anywhere anymore, but about 6 months ago I bought it with $74.95. I kinda thought that, after this review, you would finally put Ardbeg 10 in front of Talisker 10. 😊 If nothing else, for the better specs. Cheers !

Took a bottle of Ardbeg 10 to work (I'm a bartender) and people couldn't get enough of it, especially when mixed with coke!

i can NOT wait for your civilized rant on over-priced / over-rated Episode (( kindly make it 2 hours long ! ! )) - Cheers ! (( back to drinking old Ardbeg 10 from 2002 for 42$CAD . . . just a case left. . .))

The Ardbeg 10's price just skyrocketed in China's past year, from nearly $50 to $100. Uigeadail? Shit, over $150. I wouldn't pay that much for Ardbeg anymore. So sad.

Jeff your 87 was not necessary, 79 would have been perfect. There was a time when Ardbeg 10 was something I always had on my shelf. Not anymore. Seeing your 87 I thought I'd give it another chance. But what a disappointment. There is no peat, no sea, no fishing nets. Nothing. any alternatives Jeff??? My 2 always on the shelf were Arbeg 10 and Balveme 12 double wood ---- both are big disappointments!!!! WHY DO THEY DO THIS Jeff? ANY IDEA? I AM REALLY EXPECTING AN ANSWER!! Thanks, Jeff!!!!

Thanks for the support! For us Ukrainians, this is very important! Tell the truth about Ukraine to your friends, subscribers

Geoff like always good review ! Cheers ! Support Ukraina !

I was gonna buy a bottle but you kinda turned me off with this review lol

The obsessive use of the word, ‘like', is very noticeable.

For me, the Ardbeg 10 'campfire smoke' on the finish is too much for my liking, it's just unbalanced & overpowering. I much prefer Port Charlotte 10 for my peaty / smokey Scotch fix.