Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch

Product Description

Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky: The Rawest, Smokiest Ardbeg Ever Made

Ardbeg’s whisky makers set out to make the rawest, smokiest Ardbeg ever, and then they bottled it young. Ardbeg Wee Beastie is a 5-year-old Islay single malt, the youngest whisky Ardbeg has ever bottled and a permanent member of the core range since 2020. It’s matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, non-chill filtered, and bottled at 47.4% ABV (94.8 proof) with no added color, so the peat hasn’t had time to mellow.

Ardbeg describes a nose of cracked black pepper, sappy pine resin, honey-glazed ham, and Turkish coffee, a palate that bursts with chocolate, creosote, and tar, with eucalyptus and aniseed, and a long, salty finish with cocoa and fudge. With water, it opens up with herbal notes of fennel, green apple, and leather. It’s smoky, peppery, and savory, and it’s young: some reviewers find it less ferocious than its name, and many prefer it over one large cube. It’s meant for people who want Ardbeg’s smoke without the price of the 10, and it makes a great smoky cocktail, like a Penicillin or a smoky Old Fashioned. It’s the entry point into Ardbeg’s peat, and the one to pour for friends who say they like smoke.

About the Bottle

• Islay single malt Scotch, 5 years old
• Ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks; non-chill filtered; no added color
• 47.4% ABV (94.8 proof)
• Ardbeg Distillery, Islay, Scotland; 750ml

Tasting Notes

From Ardbeg’s own notes.

Nose: Cracked black pepper, sappy pine resin, honey-glazed ham, and Turkish coffee.

Palate: Chocolate, creosote, tar, and smoked bacon, with eucalyptus and aniseed.

Finish: Long, salty, and mouth-coating, with cocoa and fudge.

Food Pairings

The smoke and salt pair well with smoked salmon, barbecue brisket, and blue cheese. It also goes with oysters, dark chocolate, and cured meats.

Serving Suggestions

Sip it neat or over one large cube, or with a few drops of water to open the herbs. It’s also good in a Penicillin or a smoky Old Fashioned.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is it? 5 years old.

Is it peaty? Yes, intensely smoky, as Ardbeg is.

What casks was it aged in? Ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks.

What proof is it? 94.8 proof (47.4% ABV).

Is it limited? No, it’s a permanent core-range expression since 2020.

How should I drink it? Neat, with a few drops of water, over a large cube, or in a smoky cocktail.

Explore More

Browse our Single Malt collection or Whiskey collection, or see the Ardbeg Smokiverse.

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