A look at Ardbeg's core range, including An Oa, 10-year-old, Uigeadail, Corryvreckan, and the new Committee Release of Grooves. For more whiskey reviews, head to www.adventuresinwhiskey.com
A very nice review, and the line-up concept here is one I have not found anyone else to have attempted on TH-cam. I have most of the available Ardbeg whiskies now, except Dark Cove and Twenty Something. I recently obtained two bottles of the NCR Grooves at $101 here in Denver. The flavor is very interesting and intense. I love the 10 YO and An Oa, but the Grooves really came out screaming. I also recently discovered a smallish liquor store near work that still has a healthy supply of Ardbeg Perpetuum($100) which was a release back in 2015 (?). I have not opened this bottle yet. I passed up buying Dark Cove this past winter for some reason I can’t remember now, and now I wish I had jumped on it because it is gone. I wasn’t totally committed to Ardbeg at the time and the price was a bit of a discouraging as I recall ($129). The Twenty Something is considerably more pricey ($600.00) so it might as well not even exist for me.
You are correct, Sir, about the name Grooves. The two gloriously German gents on Whiskey.Com have reported that the name Grooves comes from the spiral grooves cut on the inside surface of the barrel staves of the wine casks they used to age the whisky in. The extra surface area the grooves create inside the barrel are supposedly there to increase the wine/wood/whisky contact. I’ve recently seen several old European oak wine barrels that have been cut in half and sold as garden planters with these grooves cut into the inside of the surface of the barrel before charring. The grooves had a radius of about 3/8” and were obviously made buy a precise cutting tool that spiraled from top to bottom inside the barrel in a nice neat pattern.
As a novice, I tried the 10 year and it punched me in the face haha. I wasn’t prepared for the smoke flavor. Not one to give up, I kept trying and it grew on me. Then I added 2 drops of water which was a game changer. Love it now.
Your video content was great, thank you! I am a big Arbeg fan as well and have all of these in my bar. One criticism, you really should watch the "uh" hiccup you have in your presentation. Once you eliminate "uh" and the "um" you will be top rate. There were well over 100 of them. Good luck and thanks again!
Just found your video and sub. Nice, for my 1st peated scotch i went with the ardbeg 10 definitely smokey like a campfire and earthy with some sweet notes which i liked. I still prefer bourbons but the peated stuff is now on my favorites list to get and try.
Brandon McCarron (from Ardbeg) mentions in his video about Corryvreckan 30% French oak. Originally 100% were intended but this did not work as it "dried" out the taste.
PS. Saw it in-store Thursday and didn't buy. I generally stick to the CRs which are better and about the same price (picked up 2 bottles of CR at $120 per). That is one great whisky.
I have yet to see An Oa cheaper than the 10 anywhere personally. In fact, most of the time I can find the uigedahl for slightly less than the an oa. Hopefully it comes down a bit in price, as I do find it a bit over priced.
I have both CR and NCR grooves and I must say that the only difference I found was the burn. I'm looking for a second opinion on that. Anyway, I got both of them at cost since I work at a liquor store that got their hands on both.
there is 30% french oak used for the corryvracken, the idea was 100% but was too dry and short of a finish, rest should be ex bourbon casks. so maybe also new or newish french oak casks
Whilst often being referred to as a bad choice for new whiskey drinkers, Ardbeg was the whisky which got me interested in whisky.
Same
I’ve tried around two dozen NAS. The Corryvreckan and Laphroaig Lore are the only two I liked. But I liked them A LOT. Interesting and excellent.
A very nice review, and the line-up concept here is one I have not found anyone else to have attempted on TH-cam. I have most of the available Ardbeg whiskies now, except Dark Cove and Twenty Something. I recently obtained two bottles of the NCR Grooves at $101 here in Denver. The flavor is very interesting and intense. I love the 10 YO and An Oa, but the Grooves really came out screaming. I also recently discovered a smallish liquor store near work that still has a healthy supply of Ardbeg Perpetuum($100) which was a release back in 2015 (?). I have not opened this bottle yet. I passed up buying Dark Cove this past winter for some reason I can’t remember now, and now I wish I had jumped on it because it is gone. I wasn’t totally committed to Ardbeg at the time and the price was a bit of a discouraging as I recall ($129). The Twenty Something is considerably more pricey ($600.00) so it might as well not even exist for me.
You are correct, Sir, about the name Grooves. The two gloriously German gents on Whiskey.Com have reported that the name Grooves comes from the spiral grooves cut on the inside surface of the barrel staves of the wine casks they used to age the whisky in. The extra surface area the grooves create inside the barrel are supposedly there to increase the wine/wood/whisky contact. I’ve recently seen several old European oak wine barrels that have been cut in half and sold as garden planters with these grooves cut into the inside of the surface of the barrel before charring. The grooves had a radius of about 3/8” and were obviously made buy a precise cutting tool that spiraled from top to bottom inside the barrel in a nice neat pattern.
Dark Cove remains a favorite of mine. I finished a bottle and have one left.
As a novice, I tried the 10 year and it punched me in the face haha. I wasn’t prepared for the smoke flavor. Not one to give up, I kept trying and it grew on me. Then I added 2 drops of water which was a game changer. Love it now.
Recently I bought a Corryvreckan for $69, pretty good price for a great dram!
69 bucks for Cory is a steal! Congrats!
I just tried a shot of Corryvreckan last night and loved it. Looked for it at my local stores and it’s anywhere from $120 to $175 🙁
great review !! out of the 5, which one did you enjoy the most ?
Uigedail, if I had to choose only one.
Your video content was great, thank you! I am a big Arbeg fan as well and have all of these in my bar.
One criticism, you really should watch the "uh" hiccup you have in your presentation. Once you eliminate "uh" and the "um" you will be top rate. There were well over 100 of them.
Good luck and thanks again!
Bay-zill, Basil... I have yet to find Grooves near me...
Just found your video and sub. Nice, for my 1st peated scotch i went with the ardbeg 10 definitely smokey like a campfire and earthy with some sweet notes which i liked. I still prefer bourbons but the peated stuff is now on my favorites list to get and try.
Brandon McCarron (from Ardbeg) mentions in his video about Corryvreckan 30% French oak. Originally 100% were intended but this did not work as it "dried" out the taste.
Nice review. Non CR grooves, 46% $110 in PA.
PS. Saw it in-store Thursday and didn't buy. I generally stick to the CRs which are better and about the same price (picked up 2 bottles of CR at $120 per). That is one great whisky.
I’m with you on enjoying the CR Releases better.
I have yet to see An Oa cheaper than the 10 anywhere personally. In fact, most of the time I can find the uigedahl for slightly less than the an oa. Hopefully it comes down a bit in price, as I do find it a bit over priced.
Really? That’s strange... totally different pricing here in New Orleans.
I have both CR and NCR grooves and I must say that the only difference I found was the burn. I'm looking for a second opinion on that. Anyway, I got both of them at cost since I work at a liquor store that got their hands on both.
I haven’t tried the NCR version, but hope to soon.
i watch this enjoing Corryvreckan. this whisky is chenging reality
BTW grooves is about $100 for the limited release at 46%. A bit overpriced for me to justify I'm afraid for an NAS at 46%.
there is 30% french oak used for the corryvracken, the idea was 100% but was too dry and short of a finish, rest should be ex bourbon casks. so maybe also new or newish french oak casks
Very well done. Thanks.
Which one is your favorite?
Rick Kan No favorite here. I like them all.
Very nice lineup - well done👍
Sub'ed🙂
Thanks and cheers! 🥃
Bullet bourbon 10 , I approuve
Ardbegs are great
coconut1? nah
mushrooms.. maybe, smoke meat?! NAHHHH