In the years since their resurrection at the hands of Glenmorangie, Ardbeg has become a distillery known as much for their limited releases as their signature high peat influence. What’s more, it seems people are equally likely to be attracted to both of these elements as they are to be repelled.
The peat isn’t for everyone, and neither are the fairly obscure non age statement releases paired with somewhat premium price points that come and go with regularity. Love them or not, the Ardbeg of today has established a brand identity that is working well for them.
In the tradition of Galileo and the most recent Dark Cove, amongst others, Ardbeg Auriverdes is a limited edition single malt that was launched in 2014. The timing of the Ardbeg Day release was intended to coincide with the 2014 FIFA Men’s World Cup held in Brazil. Likewise, the aesthetic and name are references to this event as well. Auri (gold) verdes (green) serves to tie the bottle to the event, seeing how the national flag of Brazil features a bright yellow diamond on a solid green background. Additionally, the name is a reference to the golden hues of the whisky held inside Ardbeg’s iconic green bottle.
The lids of the American oak casks used to age this whisky were specially toasted in order to impart additional flavors to the final product. The bottle weighs in at 49.9% alcohol by volume. As is now tradition amongst Ardbeg’s limited releases, Auriverdes bears no age statement.
Tasting Notes: Ardbeg Auriverdes
Vital Stats: 49.9% ABV (99.8 proof), no age statement, 100% malted barley, discontinued but generally still available between $90-$150 per 750 ml bottle. There were still a couple bottles on store shelves in my local area at the time of this writing, more than two years after release.
Appearance: In my glass, Auriverdes gives off tones of golden honey with flashes of orange marmalade. Medium legs.
Nose: Quite bright and lively. Very sweet notes propped up by earthy, wet peat and smoke mingling with prickly iodine and laced through with more subtle, fatty, sweet cream. Hot sipping chocolate with cayenne pepper (which, if you haven’t tried it, can be a delightful combination in the proper setting). Fresh cut basil.
Palate: Vanilla cream, hot cinnamon jelly beans, peat smoke, bacon bits, honey butter. A collision of sweet and smoky. Light mouthfeel. Almost exceptionally so. Fairly quick, yet enjoyably intense burn with loads of sweet smoke though the finish. I would have preferred a bit more to it, but overall it fits with the general lightness of the dram.
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Final Thoughts:
This is not a be all, end all expression from Ardbeg. It was never intended to be such. I mention this as much to myself as to anyone else reading this.
Truth be told, I was all over the map during multiple tastings of Auriverdes. While I spent a lot of the time in the realm of unimpressed general acceptance, I did also veer close to despair once or twice. I genuinely appreciate the approach Ardbeg takes in pairing heavy smokiness with otherwise light spirits; however, I felt that this particular matchup just not ever solidify in a satisfying way.
At times, the whole thing was far too sweet, and was definitely knocking on the door of the sickly. At other times, the entire presentation came and went without ever truly announcing itself. It was background music with the occasional jarring sour (or sweet) note. I tend to prefer my Ardbeg taking center stage.
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