Ardbeg has always been one of my favorite brands. However, I must admit that recently, I have found a few of their releases to be underwhelming. The last limited edition that truly captivated my taste buds was the Ardbeg BizarreBQ. The Ardbeg BizarreBQ was a phenomenal whiskey, and I am always on the lookout, hoping to stumble upon a hidden bottle in a liquor store shelf.

I was hesitant to try the Ardbeg Spectacular. However, what intrigued me was the fact that this is Ardbeg’s first time ever, maturing in port wine casks, so we bought it. But, is it any good? Keep reading!

Ardbeg Spectacular is matured in both port wine casks and ex-bourbon casks.

Nose: peat, sweetness and woodsmoke
Palate: smoky, toffee, pears, chocolate, lightly sweet and nuttiness
Finish: leather and caramel
Cost: $140
ABV: 46%

Now this is good! This whisky beautifully combines the smoky essence of peat with the delightful sweetness of the port wine casks, creating a harmonious fusion. What impressed me the most was that the peat smoke does not overshadow the sweetness coming from the port casks. There’s a perfect balance between the two, complimented by an occasional hint of pear, which is fantastic. The finish leans toward a leathery note, but it’s redeemed by notes of caramel which brings in some more of that sweetness.

This expression was very well done. My issue with it, the cost. The price for this whisky is significantly inflated. Is it good? Yes, it’s delicious and different from what they’ve done in the past, I just find the price challenging to justify.

Cheers!

Note: The contents on my blog are solely my opinion. To me every palate is different! Although I may or may not like a product, I always recommend for people to try it and make up their own minds.