9 year old connoisseur choice 1994 Ardbeg bottled in 2004

[TheEngineer]

Seeing that my writing was not going anywhere, I rummaged to the back of a stash of opened bottles and found this. I had forgotten about this for a while but man this is one lovely lady.

Ardbeg from 1994 (so just before they were sold) and at nine years old. Peat is very muted, slightly medicinal, soapy, and elegant, but there is a nice austerity to this drink that is lovely citrusy, almost like a mythical young port ellen that I've never had. Slightly sweet on entry but only for a hint,then moving onto coconut, marzipan, then moving onto a hint of saltiness (i know..there is no salt...but I get salt!!!) and smoke. Young like the 5 y.o. Kilchoman that KC introduced me to earlier this year, but with a calm and satisfying finish that can only be ardbeg. What a lovely treat. I had opened this for a bunch of friends and never true had a chance to try it until tonight. I wish I had another bottle......

Alright...time for bed....

[Kcwhippet]

Sounds delicious. I'm sure the Ardbeg has much higher phenolics than the Kilchoman, but it has such an endearing smoothness. Hard to believe the peat would be so muted, though.

[TheEngineer]

I should have said muted for Ardbeg It was there, just not en mass.