Whisky Forum - Ardbeg Blasda - Page 2

Pussyeye · Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 1:16 pm Post subject:

Hi everybody.
I don't know why in Italy you cannot find this kind of whiskies, is very difficoult to find the Ardbeg, so i think i can't taste the new one now...but in springtime or summer i will come in Scotland for the first time and I'm sure i will taste it.
I think I will bring back in Italy some bottles.
Good afternoon, bye...
_________________
"There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die. "

William · Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 10:45 pm Post subject:

It's Ardbeg but not as we know it.

I just had my first taste of the new Ardbeg Blasda this evening and I can say it is sweet and delicious so the name Blasda is very appropriate as the word Blasda is Gaelic and means "sweet and delicious'.

Nose: Touch of peat, citrusy, floral fragrance.
Taste: Lightly peated, light oil wonderfully sweetened by sweet barley, vanilla with a lemon & lime citrus edge.
Finish: Sweet, citrusy with just a teasing touch of peat. Surprisingly long given the lower peat level.

Compared to the Ardbeg 10
It is definitely Ardbeg but not as we know it, the lower peat level of just 8 parts per million phenol lets more of the whiskies character shine through in both the nose and the taste. The lighter notes are not so overpowered by the phenol levels as they are in the Ardbeg 10. A must try if you like Ardbeg 10 and I found it very interesting to comparing the Blasda and Ardbeg 10 side by side. Blasda reveals more of the delicious sweetness of vanilla, lemon /limes and the floral fragrance that you expect to find in all expressions of Ardbeg.

Another great version of this Islay malt whisky and although it is supposed to be a limited edition it wil be around for 3 years, so not so limited. I wonder what a 46% ABV version of this would have been like.

If I had to mark it, I would say 80/100. This may take criticism for not being peaty enough but it is "Not Supposed To Be Peaty"?. Well done Ardbeg, another whisky to be enjoyed, keep them coming. Top Malt

Would make a good introduction to those new to Islay malts or those who dont like the peat monsters of Islay and prefer the lighter peated whiskies.

William

Big Mac · Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:34 pm Post subject:

William, I like your comment:

It's Ardbeg but not as we know it.

You have got me really curious to try this now, i wish i new why it wont be avaiable here in the US.

Mac

Alastair · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 12:52 pm Post subject:

Yes i like the "It's Ardbeg but not as we know it." comment also.

Thanks for the review William, i have read a few reviews online putting it down but strangely they were from people who hadnt actually tried it, i guess they imagine what it will be like then review it, it can be a strange place online.

Anyway your has convinced me i must try at least once.

Alastair

John · Moderator Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 876 Location: UK

Big Mac · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks John for the explanation. I knew there had to be a reason why we dont see a lot of bottlings here in the US.

Mac

Mark · Master Of Malts Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 1673

Thanks for your thoughts on the Blasda William. Out of interest were you comparing the Blasda with the old Ardbeg 10 or the new Glenmo Ardbeg 10.

Mark

William · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject:

Hi Mark

When i posted my review of the new Ardbeg Blasda on Monday night i had only tried it next to the old Ardbeg 10 but i have since tried it next to the new Ardbeg 10. It doesnt alter what i said about the Blasda but i would say i found the new 10 sweeter than the old 10 and i would say that i thought the new 10 to be a closer relative to the Blasda, then i suppose both the new 10 and Blasda are from the Glenmorangie Ardbeg era.

William

Islay Pete · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject:

Andy M · Master Of Malts Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 1221

Kenny M · Master Of Malts Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 860

Didnt realise there was a new Ardbeg, sounds quite different from what we expect from Ardbeg but i will give it a try before judging.

Kenny

Andy M · Master Of Malts Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 1221

I saw this on the new blog on The Whisky Exchange site:

John · Moderator Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 876 Location: UK

Hi Andy

The Whisky Exchange have now got the Blasda avaialble to order you will find it here:
Buy Ardbeg Blasda

I think they posted in their blog before they had added it to their shop.
I see they state that there are only 1800 bottles available in the UK, i dont know how many they actually have available but i wouldnt leave it to long to order as i am sure it will be highly sought after.

John

Andy M · Master Of Malts Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 1221

Thanks John Smile

i just need to figure out exactly what else to order then place my order later today.

Andy

Charlie · Master Of Malts Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 1416

Hi

Just got home from work and spotted Blasda was now available from The Whisky Exchange and came on here to let yous know but you beat me to it John.

Charlie