Ardbeg Scorch Committee Release
Ardbeg's Committee Release 2021 was the Scorch. The malt was stored in extremely burnt out ex-bourbon barrels. The associated story tells of a dragon that was resident in Ardbeg's Warehouse 3.As usual for Ardbeg, this Committee Release Malt is only available for purchase directly from Ardbeg on Ardbeg Day. Probably, very few bottles actually make it to the tasting - most will probably stand locked in collector's cabinets.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The opening is, as expected, biting. Intense BBQ and campfire aromas. A certain meaty, tar-like quality is rounded out by sweet vanilla notes. For us, the malt is (unusually for Ardbeg) slightly medicinal.
Palate
The taste is - after smelling - surprisingly sweet. Vanilla and caramel nestle with intense oak and the taste of burnt toast. Dryness and pepper spice complement the sweetness on the palate.
Finish
The intense Scorch stays in the mouth for a long time. Intensely woody with smoke and ash, it becomes a bit rubbery at the back.
Thoughts
Marcel 69/100
The Ardbeg Scorch surprises with its smoky intensity and the sweet counterbalance that makes the drinking experience exciting. Still, the high price feels more like that of a collector’s piece than pure drinking pleasure – a whisky you admire more than you regularly enjoy.
Sascha 83/100
A well-structured, complex Islay malt with a balanced interplay between smoky notes and sweet vanilla aromas. Nevertheless, the quality of the flavor doesn’t fully justify the inflated market price, making it more of a limited collector’s item than an everyday dram.
Value for Money: Expensive
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What makes the Ardbeg Scorch Committee Release 2021 special compared to other Ardbeg bottlings?
The Ardbeg Scorch was matured in heavily charred ex-bourbon casks, which impart its distinctive smoky and woody aromas. This cask treatment is unusual for Ardbeg and creates the intense BBQ and campfire notes that set it apart from other releases.
Why is the Ardbeg Scorch Committee Release so hard to obtain?
Scorch is an exclusive Committee Release available only on Ardbeg Day directly at the distillery. The bottle count is very limited, so many bottles remain in collectors’ cabinets, with only a few available for tasting.
What flavor profiles can you expect from the Ardbeg Scorch despite its strong smokiness?
Alongside intense smoky and tarry notes, the Ardbeg Scorch surprisingly reveals sweet hints of vanilla and caramel. On the palate, dry pepper spice and oak complement the sweet nuances, while the finish is woody, smoky, and slightly rubbery.