Ardbeg 15 Year Old North Star Spirits Bottling Cask #5076 2008 75cl

Ardbeg 15 Year Old North Star Spirits Bottling Cask #5076 2008 75cl

Distilled on 29th October 2008, this whisky spent 15 years maturing in a refill oloroso butt, before its bottling in October 2023. 120 bottles were released.

Nose

The nose opens with aromas of sea salt, dried seaweed, marzipan, and a backbone of smoke. Giving it air and there’s also wet earth, cashew nuts, milk chocolate, toffee pops, lime cordial, aniseed, cracked black pepper and a slight meatiness.

Palate

The palate opens with tar, ash, caramel, warming pepper spice, dirty water and toffee. The mouthfeel is good with a slight creaminess to it. The finish is a medium length with the ash and caramel notes lingering. Air reveals ginger spice, orange peel, bacon, and thyme.

Nose (with water)

Reduction has brought out some cloves, gingerbread, strawberry Chewits, more ash, and burnt caramel sauce. The lime note has been accentuated, while the wet earth has dried out and the pepper spice has disappeared. Water has opened the nose up nicely.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate has less smoke, and is showing more sweetness largely in the form of brown sugar. It’s a little spicier now verging on a sweet chilli. The mouthfeel has held up well to a few drops of water. The finish is a little shorter, but there’s still a good amount of smoke and sweetness lingering. Overall the palate has held up well to reduction, and we’d suggest adding a few drops.

61% ABV

70cl