Peat lovers, today I’ll introduce to you the Ardbeg Galileo… You know? This famous whisky that we sent into space to study the impact of gravity on its maturation. The whisky you’ll drink here isn’t the one they sent in space eh, this is just the same whisky that was bottled to celebrate this unusual event. Aged in ex-bourbon casks (first filling) and Marsala, it has an alcohol level of 49%. So, will this whisky take us to infinity and beyond?
Nose: We start gently with the smoky side of the peat and slight saline notes on the nose. The peat is not as invasive as usual with an Ardbeg. A touch of fruits, being rather on citrus, with a hint of vanilla. Really very sweet, it could disappoint the usual amateurs who are looking for something more… well, more Ardbeg.
Mouth: Here again something quite unusual for this distillery, on the one hand we have peat that’s a little more present than on the nose and more typical and another again a mixture of fruits… Without it all really mixing, citrus fruits and plums seem a little room apart. It’s nice in itself but it lacks balance and the marriage is not totally successful (well, when we make room apart, it does not help). We finish with notes of charcoal. It’s… disconcerting.
Finish: Medium to long, always on citrus, rather lemon. Salty and ashes notes.
Note: 85/100
With this whisky, Ardbeg has tried some experiment on Earth too but I am a little divided with its result. This is not unpleasant, they have the merit of having tried a new approach and to propose something different, but I still prefer their “classics” that are more spiky. And it’s a guy who’s not really fond of peat saying it… but hey, if i drink an Ardbeg, i want a peaty one. That’s what they do best.
Released in 2012, in an edition of 15,000 bottles, do not expect to find the Ardbeg Galileo for less than 250 €.
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