The squirrels are doing acrobatics today, jumping from one tree to another backwards, onto my eavestroughs. Aside from the significant risk of getting squashed, squirreling looks fun. They don't give no dangs. They chase each other all day. Throw stuff at people from up high. Lounge, dig holes.
But no time for squirreling today. Today it's Ardbeg 10. Most scotches evoke for me a vague femininity, but Ardbeg 10 is an exception. Tonight I'm hanging with a man and we're talking about sports and cars and being boisterous.
Meaty smoky and salty on the aromas come out right away. Like a cured fish. Very nice. Bold.
We dig deeper. Simon points to a little apple sweetness. Kyle calls it pear. Scott gets some citrus, lemon maybe. The sweetness is a little vague and in the background.
We cheers.
The nose follows through on the palate. The smoke, the brine, the cured fish, it's all there.
Simon says the finish is dry and acidic.
Trevor gets chocolate somehow. Kyle did get a toffee, wonders whether it's the same thing they're getting at. Simon, Scott, and Sean do not see this at all.
Mild-medium heat.
After halfway the heat goes down and it's the smoke that stands out for Simon. For Scott the fruity sweetness stands out.
There's a sourness too that pops out later for everyone. Trevor calls it lemon.
Let's get to ratings.
Kyle's pick, so he starts us off. The peaty scotches have growing on him. He doesn't see himself getting a bottle, but certainly will look for it at public and private bars. He goes 72. Trevor likes the complex nose and the scotch is interesting, it just doesn't appeal to his palate, and he goes 66. Scott is a fan and likes the uniqueness, as in this is something he could single out blind. He goes 78. Simon is in the same boat and will certainly have this bottle on rotation with other peaty smoky drinks, and he goes 80. Sean is in the middle with 70. We average out to 73.2 tonight.
Our average rating is 72.57. If you like peaty smoky scotches, this is a must try, if not this is not likely the one that will change your mind.
Cheers!
The S&P Crew
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