Ardbeg Provenance Tasting Notes and Ratings.

Ardbeg Provenance

Added on Tuesday, Mar 13, 2007 at 03:55 AM

Bottler:

Age:	23 yrs	Type:	Scotch
Vintage:	1974	Subtype:	Single Malt
ABV:	54.70 %	Region:	Islay
Price:	N/A	Availability:	Collectors Only

This was the 2nd release, bottled for the US market.

Member Ratings and Notes

Adam

Nose of smoke and musty leather. Palate very smooth for the alcohol content, sweet and easy. At first seems sweet yet underwhelming, but then the smoke creeps in and crescendoes into an intense smoky-sweet finish that goes on and on and on. Purely delightful, and hugely flavorful without ever getting tiresome.

One of the best whiskies I have ever tasted.

Chris

I shivered upon first taste. Huge, evaporative, smoke and peat. Unlike anything else.

Oh wow. The most unique whisky I've tasted to date. A musty nose, reminiscent of the scent of morning dew after a campfire. Hints of fruit as well, but the nose doesn't reveal what you're about to taste, which is incredible. An oily texture, starts with wood, hints of sweet, then smoke and peat take over, and it's hot! The taste truly changes and reaches an amazing crescendo. The finish lasts for ages, very warm and peppery. Pretty remarkable

Peaty, sweet nose. Palate: wow, the definition of cresendo. Builds and builds to a hot, peaty, spicy, powerful place. Smooth, comfortable finish.

Smooth, dark, rich. Redwine, black licorice, plum, blackberry. Extreme heat. Extremely complex. Extremely extreme. Like a grenade full of orgasms and money.

Giant and complex. The taste rolls and changes. But finishes much smoother than expected. Very special

Truly a special scotch – the perfect mix of peaty smoke and smooth finish. The nose is a little scary but once you get past it its fantastic.

Wow, full rich nose of peat smoke and layered spice. Complex flavors of sea salt, peat and caramelized spice. The finish is remarkably long and rolls in complex waves of subtle flavor and heat.

Andy

Nose: Nuts riding a briney tidal wave with a hint of swimming pool.

Palate: Ginger and leather fireworks dancing on the tongue.

The finish is long and magnificent.

Dave

I have tried this several times but always when I was unable to really evaluate it other than to say "wow." The hype always turned me off a bit and made me skeptical that my "wow" was always self fulfilling.

My most recent experience was different and I actually was able to soberly focus and must to my palate's delight - this really is one of the best widely released bottles I have ever tried. Most that compare are small batch or single casks.

This also has some of the most unique flavors that aren't just the standard earthy peat that Ardbeg is famous for. This is deep and diverse. Many things going on all at once with the peaty oak and briney almost pruney notes in the background.

Simply is one of the best.

Fuji

N-old school oily peat, diesel, bandages, licorice, spice, wax, lead and dry hay

P-the peat reminds me of a campfire and fresh struck matches that is very well integrated with faint sherry component and has lots of fruit in the background

F-black licorice bubblegum that lingers and sticks to your tongue and palate

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