Ardbeg Twenty Something

Nose: The typical slightly sweet Ardbeg nose fills the room as I type this. I sense burned licorice, some dry fir forest and a (very) little amount of smoked, spicy meat. Every time I take another nose, I find new shades, even some which may be related to the sherry casks: Dark chocolate, gooseberries, even oranges. The nose becomes lighter over the time, dropping most of its fire. I, personally, like that very much. Taste: Surprise: Starting sweet while burning on the tongue, the taste quickly splits into various fruit (peaches, plums, raspberries, some figs and raisins) and woodsmoke and (again) licorice flavors, it's like drinking an extract of Scandinavia's various forests mixed with a fruit cocktail while the mouth is largely watered. On second sip, the burning becomes less dense and so do the fruit, making more room to let the sherry finally become obvious by leaving a silky touch and providing some vanilla milk chocolate as a lovely contrast. Finish: A sugared campfire slowly burns out, taking its well-earned time. This dram gradually dries towards the end, leaving milk chocolate and conifers on my tongue and palate.

Pretty OK

Mineral! Coal, ash, smoke from a fire, smoked cheese, metal shavings, glue, walnuts, vegetation, nettles, mint, sweet green tea!

This Ardbeg is a nice experience and shows how different the drams from the beginning of the 90s were. This flavor profile can no longer be found today. The price is still too high.

If you are over 22 years old, you should expect a lot from an Ardbeg, especially at the price. Unfortunately the expectations weren't quite met - it is still a good whisky.

Revisited 2022.

Islay Session: 2023.03.15. Laphroaig 23yo Vintage 1991 https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/58360/laphroaig-1991 90- Port Ellen 22yo SV 1979 https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/24989/port-ellen-1979-sv 93- Port Ellen 24yo 1978 2nd Release https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/252/port-ellen-2nd-release 91+ Port Ellen 24yo 1979 3rd Release https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/254/port-ellen-3rd-release 92- Ardbeg 23yo Twenty Something https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/102567/ardbeg-twenty-something 91- Add-on: Highland Park 18yo 1960 https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/81699/highland-park-1960 92+

Thankfully, I could taste a sample. Quite a nice old style Ardbeg nose and some tar that reminds me of the 1970s. But the pricing frustrates. A big money printing machine and the stuff selling out quick will certainly encourage LVMH to jack up the prices even more the next time an Ardbeg something comes around. All for you. I am out.

Smells like tar, tastes like vanilla cream.

Delicious yet recogniseable and from smell to finish a consistent expression.

Tasting: April 2022

... finaly Whisky fairs are back in 2022 and I could taste this beast...

Ardbeg trio: 2023.03.10. Ardbeg Scorch https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/182094/ardbeg-scorch 87- Ardbeg Uigeadail (2005) https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/63187/ardbeg-uigeadail 88+ Ardbeg 23yo Twenty Something https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/102567/ardbeg-twenty-something 90+

This whisky is very similar in style to the Ardbeg 1990 Airigh Nam Beist, with a similar alcohol content. In fact, their distillation years are only a few years apart. I also poured a glass of the 1990 Airigh Nam Beist (L6) for comparison, and the similarities were indeed extremely high. The differences mentioned in the article are somewhat subjective and exaggerated; in a blind tasting setting, the distinction isn't that obvious.

Nose: pleasantly fruity, orange, marzipan and a burnt campfire in the distance. Mouth: more spicy and peppery than the nose promises. Here comes wood, ashes and grapefruit (I like it) Finish: long, dry and grapefruit

Plenty of vanilla that combines perfectly with a gentle level of peat. Ardbeg as it once was

gentle, dignified, old, balanced. the peat is nearly gone and very well integrated in the taste and the other aromas. spicey, even a bit oaky as well. not much salt, some sweetness is there but rather gentle. Would really loved this one if the finish would have been longer. Not sure what happened there but that was just too short.

N: Very floral mixed with a sherry fruitiness like sunwarm grapes and raisins, sadly the medicinal smoke has faded a bit to much for my taste compared to the 22 year old. Still a very nice floral, fruity whisky. T: A sweet medicinal salty smokiness. Nice sweet vanilla and caramel in perfect mix with the salty smokiness. Also some sherry notes comes through. F: Very long. A mild sweet dry salty smokyness. A little too mild compared to the 22 year old, mild chocolate and spices.

Dark and oily, nuts, ardbeg-specific characters and oloroso cask characters fit well together, good balance, delicate

nose: fruits, dirty, 沥青， sea weed, mouth: bbq sause， damp wood, minty fresh, floral finish: mid, chocolate,

Superb Ardbeg - very tasty! Deserves to spend a lot of time for nosing and tasting. Recommended.

That's when you think you're going to the next raid on an overpriced older Ardbeg and then something like that. From nose to finish, a very good, consistent whisky that does not indulge in its flavors, but serves them so appealingly that one wishes to have more than just a 5cl sample available.

Very strong and powerful for its abv Nice mellow nose sweet with mild peay smoke compared to other ardbegs Taste is better until it gets bit too oak. Not bad Sweet critics and peat smoke pleasant Finish is long but but too tannin and could have been better Overall frutiy creamy mild ardbeg

Nose: typical Ardbegrauch? No, I do not think so. The peat smoke here is rather restrained, and also goes a long way from the heavy Phenoligkeit, which one knows otherwise. Some tar is there, plus a fresh sea breeze and kelp algae, also a few herbal notes can be discovered. Behind this pleasant smoke potpourri comes out a fine sweetness, carried by vanilla, caramel and a little coconut cream, also some yellow fruits can be found (mirabelle plums?). The Oloro bottled water is not very noticeable, a few Nussaromen sneak in, but really only very discreet Taste: fresh, it starts in the mouth, light sweetness, subtle creamy, without being really oily or thick, a few bright / yellow fruits, then the peat is much more noticeable, a little stronger, as I would have expected the nose, but overall but less intrusive. In addition, of course, comes the oak, which wants to have a say after 23 years. In addition, a few hazelnuts and some ground coffee will show up again Finish: medium to long, peat smoke, oak, light sweetness, again caramel and also the fresh coffee shows, behind the back it is slightly dry and also a bit mineral Water: No, for me the dram does not improve with a few drops. Conclusion: A really great whisky, which absolutely convinced me without brute force. Almost soft, round, well-matured, the aromas harmonize with each other here. The "real" Ardbeg fan may miss the heavy smoker and also the citrus notes so often described. Not at all. I really enjoy it, but it does not seem soft washed. A high on reasonable barrels and a good maturation period. But ... but, but ... that price. I think it's just too expensive. It is and remains a 23-year-old whisky, which is fun, but it's just not worth it - at least not to me. Then rather a 1974 Ardbeg Spirit of Scotland (Whiskyauction Oct. 2017: 414.00 EUR), which gives me back for less money the "old" Ardbegfeeling of the 70s. The whisky itself (without looking at the price tag) gets from me 88/89 points

http://kaypingers-whiskyblog.de/frontend/fullarticle.php?id=294 Color: gold Nose: Dull with leather and waxy cardboard, some tar and delicately salty lime and orange concentrate. In addition, fine vanilla flavors, sweet caramel liqueur, fresh-soft herbs, a little honey with a hint of smoky peat (floral-peaty) and a hint of nut. Taste: Salty, spicy and also rather dull. Citrus notes with fine herbs and lots of vanilla and tingling salt on the tongue. Smoke, peat, wood and some chocolate. Not too sweet and with wet leather to the finish. Finish: Medium length - fresh herbs, subtle smoke, wet coal and peaty phenols. Appearances of cocoa and liquorice develop - beautiful balance between sweetness and tartness! 90 points N: 90P / G: 91P / F: 90P

Tasted this as the final dram at a Boogieman end-of-the-year tasting in Rijswijk, end november 2017.Gentle lovely peat smoke with a lot of sweetness (honey, candies, vanilla) and yellow fruits. Not really typical Ardbeg On the mouth the Ardbeg shows more of how i know it, with more smoke, quite some ash, bonfires and chocolate sprinkles. This continues on the quiet long finish.

Nose: The strong smell is very strong. This time it is dominated by spices, malt, soy milk and dough. It matches well with the proportion of smoke. There is no pleasing fresh fruit aroma. Instead, it is raisins and figs. The taste of dried and other dried fruits should be polarized when you think about it. Palate :: The sea mud is mixed with large portions of dried spice fruits such as dried figs, cardamom, pepper, dark chocolate, vegetable fat, toffee, and some fennel, shredded tobacco, tea foam and dry meisi at the end. Balance, Body: A full-bodied, moderately heavy wine body with a high degree of fat and oil, revealing power but no burning sensation, excellent balance and easy drinking. Finish: longer. Brings warm, mild burning, peat, black coffee, creamer and spices, the flavor gradually turns dry from moist.

A good age-old smoky peat whisky, smoothed by aging, but still the basic phenolic derivatives are very delicate and subtle, the aroma is good, restrained and elegant, the finish is very good, long-lasting, rich, iridescent with a kaleidoscope of shades and half-tones, but the taste falls out a little and is felt rather only as a source of aftertaste.

So great. Funky in the best way. Uber-complex. I love the darkness, richness, and cedar note. Outstanding. Nose: Dark and coastal. Seaweed and seawater aplenty. There’s a bubblegum note sitting on top that all my friends who tried this whisky also found. Lots of earthy barnyard, with old hay, black pepper and Mezcal-esque fresh rubber. There’s some sweet caramel lurking in there somewhere, but it’s pretty deep. A hint of sesame oil as well. Some tart lime and banana peel came out after a few more minutes, followed by smoked anchovies. Then it shifted again into vanilla and powdered sugar, then into cedar and maraschino cherry. Palate: Salt up front, with lime and lots of grapefruit. There’s a real dark peat note that sits underneath everything, me and my buddies who tried this with me settled on tar and ink. There’s some earthy malt in the middle, with the slightest trace of vanilla. Spiced, earthy, coastal peat smoke builds and builds. Nutmeg, oak, and clove develop from the smoke, then give way to black pepper, rubber, and more of that ink. After enough of a rest, the oloroso component appeared, in the form of raisin sweetness and cinnamon bun. Finish: Long. More salt throughout. Stays earthy, with manuka honey, dark chocolate, and more nutmeg. Just a hint of ash, and an even smaller hint of sherry sweetness.

Got to try this at the distillery on Islay and boy this was a treat.

The notes are a blend of nectar, salty cheese, sea salt, barbecue sauce, elegant peat, creamy popcorn, and dry tobacco, with a hint of apple in the finish. A very elegant whisky!

I like it very much. Convinced me as a 23-year-old Ardbeg fully despite drinking strength (although I'm actually Fassstärkenfan)

Age isn't everything. This one doesn't compare with casks of its own vintage. Yes, I've heard the story of how Ardbeg reacquired said casks, but I think they were left unbottled for a reason. They are nice but not great. The old Ardbegs distilled and put in casks before the French buyout were simply better, but these casks are not among the best examples of their contemporaries. This said, during the crossover period some of the Old Guard remained. That's why Ardbegs were so good up until Ardbeg Day. After that . . . c'est la vie. The old ways were the better ways of making whisky. All of the computerized stills and fancy marketing in the world can't hold a candle to the old ways. I once saw Dr. Bill speak in person. He kind of made fun of the condition that Ardbeg's distillery was in when he took over managing operations. Bill said the light switches were held together with shoe laces. So be it. Shoe laces beat computers, hands down, when it comes to making GREAT EFFING SCOTCH. Sorry, Doc. The truth hurts. Twenty Something has a clever title, but this 'ere bottle beside me does not earn the Owl Seal of Approval. There is a point where human taste buds and olfactory nerves go downhill. I am 53 years old. My senses are still pretty good, insofar as such things go. I was drinking great scotch back in 1987, and from thence onward. "Speak memory, for thy servant hears." I am one of the few who can taste today's scotch and mentally compare it with the scotch of the 80's and 90's, much of which was distilled in the 60's and 70's. A lot has changed since the 1966, the year that I was born. Yes, this was year that some of the best Springbanks were distilled. I've tasted a few of them, but I wish I had bought a bottle of the Local Barley. It's out of my price range now. I was changing careers when the '66 vintages were being sold. Couldn't afford to buy any, and now they are out of sight in terms of cost. I'm one of those few people who remember moments in time with crystaline perfection. I can remember rocking in my crib before one year of age. I can remember my parents sunken living room at 1.5 years of age. I can remember bobbing down the hallway and having my father jump out and scare me at 1.5 years of age. I can remember many memories from that point onward. And I remember good scotch that I tasted in my 20's and 30's very clearly because I loved it so very much. This bottle does not compare, but it's not bad. It's quite tasty. Do I regret spending my money on it? No, I got a pretty good deal on mine. This said, I wish I could have gone back in a time machine with the same funds and purchased a few of the 1970's Ardbegs released in the early 2000's. Ah, if only . . . $400 in 2003 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $545.88. $400 in 1973 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $2,262.22.

Blog on 19 April 2025 on www.longpouramour.com and this is the conclusion: "Nostalgic Ardbeg from some kind of interbellum period where the past was gone, but the future not clear. Somehow, this soul has crept into the bottle, into the glass. So, maybe not only nostalgic, but even melancholic."

Overall quite round and nice, this bottling, but I would have been happy if the Oloroso barrels had come through a little more on the palate. Shortly before, I had the Ardbeg Ar10, 17yo (Elixir Distillers, WB111840) in my glass, which excited me even more and which had set the bar very high.

One of the best releases over the last 20 years. Simply amazing!

nose: tarry peat, fruity palate: powerful but not aggressive, light bitterness, licorice, heavy ash peat, sweet/salty, 90% dark chocolate final: good length on the peat

On the nose, luscious tropical fruits fade into sweet smoke, soot and tar. Take a sip and discover fresh green apples with a crumble topping. Notes of peppermint tea and vanilla guide you towards a long smoky finish. (ardbeg.com)

v good stuff, not super complex but well matured. price absurd

Yes, here you notice the sherry influence, more oak, looks ripe, slightly sweet, hardly noticeable smoke. More wood in the mouth, warming, but not spicy, sweet berries, more pears, very mouth-filling, makes the mouth watery. Berry and smoky in the finish. Very nice, tasty and definitely tastes like more.

The twins are some old whisky.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DQman-ajqT7/?img_index=1

It doesn't taste like what I’d expect from a 23-year-old whisky. It was too salty and spicy to me.

First impression / Color / consistency: Relatively dark color (saffron); rather normal tendency to run off with a tendency to light oiliness; clearly visible are suspended particles in the whisky Aroma / Nose feeling: Gentle and dignified with a slight hint of menthol. Nothing is burning here. Very sweet aromas come to my nose. Likewise vanilla, earth and rock. Overall, the smoke is very restrained, although of course clearly present in the form of cigarette ash. Behind the smoke and sweetness, I discover fruit notes. No lemon - rather very ripe kiwi. Over time, the sherry influence comes into its own. If only marginally in the background. The nose can be described as calm. There are no great corners and edges here. Beautifully harmonious. So many vlt. yes too harmonious? The nose from the empty glass the next morning is a typically cold, plastered ashtray. Taste / mouthfeel: Amazingly watery, but incredibly sweet and herbaceous, the scotch runs down the tongue. Unfortunately, the malt has only about 46% ABV, which is unfortunately immediately noticeable. I revise - the second real sip Ardbeg drives out his (small) claws and shows what's in him. There's a lot of power in this dram! The mouthfeel remains on the rather watery side, but something is different here as usual. As if something was "in the sand". Somehow it feels like you could feel the above mentioned particulate matter. I really like the taste. Here I recognize certain citrus notes again. Oh, I just like Ardbeg. Finish / aftertaste / Length: Here it is very mineral and also something tinny. The stills are in my neck and I can not let go. Relatively long after swallowing I taste very, very clearly pepper and cigar tobacco. Here it is really off! Very complex. Overall impression / comment: A single malt scotch from a distillery that is constantly polarizing. I do not care. The quality counts for me only and alone and is at Ardbeg good to mostly very good. My ratings from Ardbeg are all between 84 and 96 points. Also, this dram has few weaknesses for me. If I had to moan at a high level, I would lead the somewhat too calm nose and the somewhat too tinny Nachschmecken. Overall, but for me a nice experience! Points: 89/100 #Ardbeg #SingleMalt #Scotch #Scotland #Islay #TwentySomething #Whisky #EnjoyLife #Enjoyment #DrinkResponsibly fb.com/wagneralextastingnotes

A well-aged Ardbeg, but somehow he misses something special and outstanding, especially for the price.

Saulecker and tasty. I could smoothly pour 4cl. And he still has a lot of "young" Islay-character (which I think is really good, many older peat-nose whiskys I found too boring, soft and round-eyed). However, it does not really come to anything, something old, complex, adult, 23 years old. For me, he plays in the same league as Laphroaig 15 & 18. (So PLV beyond good and evil)

After all, (almost) everyone wants to read only one thing: too little for the money. I turn the tables and say: I have already paid considerably more for worse malts. No, joking aside - Twenty Something also appeals to me as it really brings out this "smokership" and offers a nice range of flavors. Supple and slightly subtle, without being too weak (such as the 27 Laphroaig, which in the direct comparison loosely in the bag). It does not interest me much whether he gets ranked in various 70s, 80s or even anno dazum, especially since proud bottlenecks are now demanded for these bottlings. Even if the price is high and you probably as the history of the distillery, the repurchase of the barrels and some glory along paid, but you get a really delicious Ardbeg offered, at least I can absolutely convince. Whether one is worth € 480 in the end, should and must know anyway anyway.

A very nice Ardbeg. It is not a typical peat Ardbeg, more a finer, more complex drop. Especially the sherry barrel gives it some interesting flavors on the way. Mature and mild - appropriate for age. I like him better than the 21-year-old. https://fosm.de/tasting-ardbeg-twenty-something-ein-23-jaehriger-ueberrascht/