This Ardbeg 1974 is from the golden age of this distillery, most of the single casks became legends. Even then cask #3309 bottled for La Maison du Whisky is among the highest rated.
Ardbeg 32 yo 1974 (52,5%, OB for LMdW 2006, bourbon cask #3309, 109 btl.)
Ardbeg 32 yo 1974 (52,5%, OB for LMdW 2006, bourbon cask #3309, 109 btl.)Nose: oh that balance. A herbal nose in the beginning, rosemary, some hay, camphor. A honey and marzipan sweetness in the back. Vanilla almond cookies. Then back to walnuts and dusty warehouse floors. Cold ashes. Dried meats. Nice waxy notes too, old paraffin candles.
Mouth: oh, even more medicinal than I expected. Walnuts, thyme, quite some brine and tarry ropes, camphor, salmiak, hints of Fernet-Branca and Picon. More cold smoke. Wonderful, though sharper than expected.
Finish: very long, very coastal and smoky.
Wonderful Ardbeg, better than sister cask #3328. One of my favourite Ardbegs so far, together with the 1973 Old & Rare Platinum. It used to be available for € 350, a lot of money already but in hindsight well worth it.
Score: 95/100