Ardbeg Uigeadail Reviews

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by C2Death Mar 2nd 2013

Color

Deep gold

Nose

Undilited: Dark chocolate, peat, sea spray, hints of sherry, slight smoke, ash. Diluted: Dark chocolate, Apricots, Prunes, Peat, Smoke, Slight ash, Sea spray, Demerara sugar, Sherry.

Body

Undiluted: Full bodied, peaty and luscious. Diluted: Same as above with more sweetness.

Palate

Undiluted: Noticeable peat, Dark chocolate, Apricot jam, Slight saltiness, Gentle smoke, Slight sherry presence. Diluted: Sweet, Slightly more restrained peat, Demerara sugar, Dark chocolate, Apricot jam, Prunes, Not as salty, Gentle smoke, More pronounced sherry presence

Finish

Medium to long finish, very sweet on the tongue. Very nice warm feel and the peat makes it highly enjoyable.

Definitely one to savour!

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Anonymous Mar 1st 2013

Nectar of the gods!

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Montreal_wee_dram Feb 25th 2013

Color

Pure Baltic amber

Nose

Just a hint of smoke (much less than Laphroaig QC), smell of the ocean on a hot sunny day, a hint of vanilla and chocolate. Complex and perfectly balanced.

Body

Agree with ThePessimist: one can only compare this perfection with the body of a woman, oily, smooth and desirable. You just cannot let go of it.

Palate

Unprecedented. Fruity sweet with a bit of salt, sherry, honey, nuts, maybe some raisins. Very elegant and refined.

Finish

Long, recurrent, loving and caring. Lingers, with a promise to please even more while it lasts.

Absolutely stunning. A quantum leap in palate. Instantly became my favorite one. You cannot have just one dram. Pricey in Montreal (almost $150), but worth every penny.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by San Diego Drammer Feb 3rd 2013

Color

Light amber

Nose

Bright, flowery, citrus. Light in strength.

Body

Medium

Palate

Creamy butterscotch, apples and vanilla. a very light hint of smoke.

Finish

Vanilla leading to apples into a cerealy warmth. Medium to long finish.

A pleasant, very balanced scotch, but unspectactular. Enjoyable and drinkable, a little weak on the nose but nice long finish.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by ThePessimist Dec 14th 2012

Color

Molten copper

Nose

Salacia's Joyous Tears, after Neptune's smoky lovin'.

Body

Full-bodied & oily, like Sophia Loren in "Pane, Amore E."

Palate

Salty-sweet smokebombs on a hot chick-fishmonger's tongue.

Finish

Lingers almost too long, like a soon-to-be-fired intern.

This spirit made violent love with my tongue, like the Scottish Bean nighe of legend, when appearing in her voluptuous form.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Anonymous Nov 23rd 2012

Color

Light amber

Nose

Peat, smoke, menthol, vanilla, stewed fruits, vinegar edge.

Body

Massive! Needs water to ease it in at 56 percent. Also helps it to open up.

Palate

Almost overwhelming. Flavor profiles come and go in waves. Starting smoky and bitter, middle rich, creamy, dark chocolate, treacle, then a vinegar sharp edge to bring it into balance.

Finish

Very long and satisfying. I feel like I should be exhaling smoke from my mouth.

To quote Spinal Tap this one "goes to eleven". Surely not for the beginner or faint of heart but good to have on hand when you crave a punch in the face of super concentrated scotchness.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Bill01 Oct 19th 2012

Color

Golden amber

Nose

Distant bonfire on the beach in California. A hint of smoke on warm, pungent, summer salty air.

Body

Definitely full bodied, some might call it a little oily. Not sure I like that description though.

Palate

Smoke, peat, walnut, mixed with a small amount of seawater when swimming in the ocean. Comes on really strong.

Finish

Definitely strong to the end. Long lasting, a lot of smoke, a little tobacco, tar (good though), sea salt, warm, phenols settle in nicely over several minutes. Subtle changing character as you ponder it (this NEEDS a small amount of water although I generally prefer neat scotch).

ABV is 55.4%. First time I tried this several months ago it seemed like licking an ashtray (and I LIKE smoke, do NOT like sweet!). Normally drink my Scotch neat and room temp. Tried it with just a tiny splash of water and took my time. REALLY great. Too intense to drink neat. Not the ABV but the taste. Tough call, with the water low 90's, without mid 80's.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Anonymous Oct 14th 2012

Color

deep amber

Nose

malt, fresh sherry, peat, smoke

Body

oily medium

Palate

sherried fruits, caramel, malty, peat and smoke

Finish

sweet peat and smoke

good stuff, def better than lagavulin, but i prefer the ardbeg 10

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Tow Hill Sep 27th 2012

Color

Rich Amber

Nose

Sophisticated. When I drink this I sometimes spend more time nosing than I do drinking! Sea salt, vanilla, oak, peat smoke, all in perfect balance

Body

Massive. This whiskey pulls all the punches. Every second as intense as the last

Palate

The peat is ever-present, yet phenols never dominate. If you close your eyes and focus, you can taste dozens of phenomenal flavors, coming in waves. Sea salt, honey, citrus, nuts, sweet melon, brown sugar, grape, I could go on all night

Finish

The finish is almost unending, and yet even 5 minutes after the fact it remains in perfect balance. In all of the whiskey's I have ever tasted, there has never been anything which rivals the quality finish of Uigeadail. Sometimes I down a small dram quickly, forgoing all of the benefits of body & palate, just to savor the extraordinary finish. Truly world class

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Anonymous Sep 25th 2012

Color

Pale Gold

Nose

Strong, complex. I won't pretend to pick out the right labels, but the smell satisfies.

Body

Full.

Palate

Peat, sherry. No imperfections; powerful without being acrid.

Finish

The best part - the taste lingers while parting, as if hoping for an invitation to return. A little goes a long way.

Easily the best I've ever had. I plan to buy again.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Anonymous Sep 1st 2012

Color

Amber

Nose

Outstanding, unique seaweed, nuts, fruit cake and hints of sherry and chocolate

Body

100% Full body for people that like espresso coffee and stout beer.

Palate

Peat, sardines, bone fire, oily and chewy with sherry notes

Finish

It doesn't finish as smooth as Lagavulin and Laphroaig, I actually find it a little bit rough on the finish. It lingers for a long time which is good.

Very complex whisky. As full bodied as a whisky can be, big flavor, peat and sweetness are well balanced I don't but must people would probably prefer it to Laphroaig CS. Believe me take a good Speyside sweet whisky and mix it with a few drops of Laphroaig and you are gonna save some money and experience a similar flavor profile.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Latchstring Apr 28th 2012

Color

A shade or 2 darker than Ardbeg 10

Nose

The classic fragrance of a peaty whiskey. Again, sherry and coffee notes.

Body

54.2% should say enough. Syrupy

Palate

It's hot but it isn't unbearable when neat like Laphroaig cask strength is. All the classic staff peat, tar oil etc. with the added bonus of coffee and sherry notes. I had some Lagavulin 16 yr old once that I remember as being similar. 1/2 teaspoon of water is right for me... wide spectrum.

Finish

Nice, long finish. Ah! the peat, coffee and sherry! P.S. This whiskey is normally too expensive for me, but, I found a liquor store that had this and Corryvreckan on sale for the same price. I enjoy the Corryvreckan more.

A peat bomb with sherry and coffee notes.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Pick Mar 12th 2012

Color

Deep Smoky Amber

Nose

The alcohol percentage gives it a very stingy start to the nose, however, once you are past that... you get a voyage through the complexity that is Uigeadail. Smoke, Medicine, Iodine, and Metallic scents prevail at first. Then you get the fruity sweet odors rolling out as you near the end of your inhale. There are few if any that compare to this in complexity.

Body

Robust and muscular with a mouth-feel that you cannot miss.

Palate

HOLY SMOKE! Is the first thing that comes to mind... the peatiness is extreme, and just when you start to think "this is overwhelming" it ebbs and gives rise to the Sherry and fruity sweetness. Then fades again into a slight bitterness that is not unpleasant, just presents another layer of complexity. The alcohol content (I didn't water this) makes it very warm throughout the palate and the finish.

Finish

The finish is LOOOOOOONG! Somewhere in the Supernova range in the length category. You really get what you pay for here. The finish itself is long, warming, with some of the bitterness lingering for about a minute after the swallow, until if ebbs again and reveals another layer of semi-tart sweetness which will stay with you for a while. The complexity is stunning.

This is what I would consider a "Must have at all times Scotch Whisky". Even at almost $100 a bottle, when I finish one, it must be replaced... this is not a daily dram mostly due to the price, but I succumb to the temptation somewhat regularly. The balance, complexity, and pure delight that is Uigeadail (pronounced "Oooh-Good-All" there are some Youtube videos with the pronunciation in them if you are interested) make this one of my top three of all time. It very well may be my favorite... but it's hard to pick. Either way this is absolutely delicious and not to be missed. Anyone who rates this less than a 90 singed their taste-buds with the crack they've been smoking. I didn't rate it a 99 because there are so many I haven't tried, and maybe someday I'll run across one on a new level... so I have to allow room for that distinction. On the other hand, there probably will never be a 99. Highly recommend!

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Aussie Malt Feb 12th 2012

Color

Copper

Seeing as the last reviewer (Greg Logan) gave this a positive review, but (I think ) accidentally gave it a score of 50, I felt it only fair to average it out with a score of 99 to mroe accurately reflect the consensus

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Greg Logan Feb 10th 2012

Color

Brilliant copper (when I look at it - this is the only description I read that really made any sense)

Nose

As far as I know this is the sherry monster that everyone talks about. My understanding from limited reading on the Ardbeg site is that this scotch is aged in a single sherry cask (as opposed to their other selections which are duel casks.

Body

Full and syrupy - more so than the Laphroaig Triple Wood which I have been drinking as well.

Palate

I am not too good at this at present, BUT I am assuming the massive taste here is also the Sherry. Oddly, the Laph Triple has a sherry nose but far less in the Palate. Candy. What else can you say?

Finish

Very good - no disappointment.

I purchased Ardbeg Uigeadail (as well as the Midleton Very Rare which I have not opened) based on the ratings of this site. So far I have not been disappointed! I am a complete newbie so I am simply saying that this is worthy to acquire and experience - of that, I have no doubt and I appear to be in good company. OK - as the good Aussie gentleman noticed, this newbie somehow hit enter, did not have a clue what he was doing so the very inappropriate rating of 50 was given - totally wrong!! I am glad that the sequence was not damaged as a result because I would never want someone to miss this scotch. Frankly, this scotch is dangerous. And, at present, well, I am drinking it...

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Anonymous Sep 16th 2011

Color

Amber + 2

Nose

Peat, smoke, slightly medicinal, sea salt and brine.

Body

Thick, syrupy and nice legs indeed.

Palate

Wow. What a wonderful dram. This is why Serg Valentin and Ralfy rates this Whisky so well. It has the complexity a young whisky yet is arrives like a refined aged, malt. Absolutely complex and rewarding. I tried earlier bottlings - consistent and elegant. Fudge chocolate, peat, smoke, good salmon, raisins, orange fruit, and some avocado. Beautiful.

Finish

Long lasting and rewarding. This is the all time greatest malt of our day. If your friend or family member gives this to you, he/she really loves you. I'm serious. ^_^

What a beautiful whisky. This is not a beginners dram, try this once you've tried your blends, lowlands and mastered Laphroaig. Uigeadail also leads you into becoming a sherryhead, truly interesting indeed...

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Shawn Aug 8th 2011

Color

brilliant copper

Nose

earth after a good rainstorm, peat, smoke, slight touch of sea breeze

Body

thick and oily, just the way an Islay should be

Palate

lightly honeyed vanilla cream, its like a strange sweetness then the peat hits followed by smoke and a touch of sea salt. strongly reminds me of the annual bonfire in the backyard

Finish

medium to long finish, strong at first and slowly dwindling

This bottle was a gift from my girlfriend on the recommendation of a Binny's employee. I have to say she got me one of the best Islay whiskies that is on the market today. It was bold, powerful, and very complex. I recommend Uigeadail to everyone who is interested in a strong peated whisky and will be keeping atleast one bottle in my cabinate at all times.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Sideburns Apr 29th 2011

Color

Pale caramel. Darker than the 10 yo.

Nose

Hello. How are you? Quite well. Thank you very much. The smell of the ocean harbor in the early sunny morning. Like the 10 yo, that marvelous peat and smoke is there but I also smell buttery vanilla. I smell flowers. Is that the heather smell that people talk about? Such a refreshing nose to this. I can smell the alcohol but it's not offensively strong considering it's 54.2 ABV.

Body

Syrupy thick.

Palate

How do I say this without sounding contradicting? Hmmmmmmm. It's sweet and salty. It starts off with a malty sweetness then comes the briny/peaty/smokey saltiness. A bit of dark chocolate in between. The wonderful complex taste lingers for a long time.

Finish

Long finish.

I am in love. This is the best whisky that I have ever tasted. If this bottle was a woman, I would leave my wife for it. And let me tell you, my wife is hot! This is the only whisky that I will drink for awhile. Ardbeg Uigeadail is my new current favorite single malt. Islay rules!

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Anonymous Mar 24th 2011

Color

Pale amber, slight copper look.

Nose

Subtle. Hint of floral and peat.

Body

Full bodied.

Palate

Peaty, smokey, cocoa, cherry, caramel, mint, latte', and cheese cake.

Finish

Wonderful long finish. Almost like the Isle of Islay just washed ashore in my throat.

Marvelous, full of flavor, and utterly unforgettable. Uigeadail conquers.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Dmessmer Mar 24th 2011

Color

Amber.

Nose

Earthy and peaty, with a hint of seaside air during a storm.

Body

Rich and buttery.

Palate

Honeyed sweetness that fades into a briney peatyness. Complex, with hints of fruit and undeniable smoke.

Finish

Salty and delicious, with no unpleasant aftertaste.

Complex and wonderful. I get different tastes each time I try it, but it still always has a distinctive character that is uniquely its own. Definitely in the running for the title of my favorite Scotch.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Gfunksound May 20th 2010

Color

The afternoon sun in late August shining through orange stained glass windows.

Nose

Heather and vanilla cream. A seaside freshness. Cut grass on a recently watered lawn. Oak and sherry.

Body

Incredibly smooth for a whiskey of such high ABV. Light but complex.

Palate

Peat balanced by sherry. Marshmallows. Bonfires in the summertime making smores. Sea salt, vanilla, butter cream, dry autumn leaves burning on a cold day.

Finish

It's like a train that you ride on for a while. You ride then get off but the whiskey keeps going.

One of those whiskeys that you never forget. A permanent member and centerpiece of my scotch cabinet.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Nockle Nov 24th 2009

Color

Burnished, calovados pays d'auge

Nose

Smoked Mackerel, mild sweaty cigar, Veal Demi-Glace, honey roast ham. h

Body

Dusty and powdery with strong full burnt and wettened wood

Palate

Plenty of maritime here, with burnt cocoa, small amounts of Licourice, Aniseed and fermenting Prunes poking through, evokes the best Perigord confiserie'.

Finish

Short and medium term finish is primarily fruit driven but the long finish turns quite carbonic with areas of sump oil and tapenade.

A tremendous achievement, very complex indeed.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Mandrake Oct 21st 2009

Color

Pale gold

Nose

Orange, butter, burnt woody notes. Very strong and complex. Pine and sweetness.

Body

Remarkably oily and full.

Palate

Peaty as all get out, quite salty Wood and a bit of fruit.

Finish

Long and tingly. Very warming.

Utterly brilliant Islay. One for the ages.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by ColoradoDram Aug 5th 2009

Color

Gold.

Nose

Buttered popcorn, charred flowers, some mild cooked fruit.

Body

Very oily and silky. Rolls nicely on the tongue.

Palate

Roasted marshmallows over mesquite wood, numbing (as one would expect at this abv), quite smokey, like thistle, pine cones, and grass in a chimney.

Finish

Amazingly smooth at this abv - indicates some aging behind this. Long and warm - don't reduce with water! Just have a glass on the side to pair with.

This is an excellent buttery, lamp-oily, smokey, Islay time anytime your tongue has been built up to the task. The best I've tasted from Ardbeg to date.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Dr.Whisky Aug 11th 2007

Color

A cop's bronze/orange sunglasses

Nose

Sweet, but sweaty and very smoky. Meaty. Norwegian smoked salmon. Caraway seeds. Red plums. Shaving cream. Smoked cheese. Beach parties with fires, cigarettes and other smokables, wet bathing suits, and sexy salty skin. And I could go on... this thing just doesnt stop giving!

Body

Big Impact.

Palate

Somehow enters the mouth softly, amazing at the strength! The taste is hot and bothered, but soft. Powerful yet not pushy. Immense peat fires. Cocoa and weak instant coffee.

Finish

Long sweet malty finish on a bed of burning peat

Masterful stuff. A peat-lovers dream at a great price for the immensity of flavour.

Ardbeg Uigeadail
Review by Colin Mar 13th 2007

Color

Pale Orange

Nose

Slight sting, Strong sweet malt, Burnt sweet wood, like an appletree limb.

Body

Hot, Dry, Strong.

Palate

Peat, Sweet malt, Caramel, Some floural grass, Grain. Minty with more floural grass after watering.

Finish

Peat! Lovely peat! Some citrus, Slight ginger. More peat and grass with water.

Don't you dare water this one. Dramatic and satisfying with a deliciously sweet aroma complimenting lovely strong peat.