Ardbeg 1977 / 1993 SMWS 33 108.5 proof 62%

You might recall the single vintage 1975 and 1977 put out as regular bottles next to the plain 10s many years ago which introduced many of us to that great 70s style. Here perhaps a softer iteration of it despite it’s insane strength. Class seascape of crystal clear brine and stingingly sharp salt air. Dry rooty peat and desiccated phenols that’s really less about hot tar and more about cold resin lumps, dried black roots and soot crusted hurricane lamps. Also citric throughout with dried lemon slices, and drops of artemeisa, gentian and galbanum bring a clean medicinal aspect. Everywhere slushes a mix of chalk and crushed sea shells blended into clear oils. Very maritime but to be sure it’s neither explosive nor has that razor penetration of some earlier Ardbegs or say 74 Caol Ila. Instead this one is a rounded nugget of burnished bronze. Perhaps its relaxed-ness make it more laidback and perhaps more approachable, and indeed quaffable as one esteemed critic would say, whilst retaining that minimalist tautness. 88 pts