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A rare single malt whisky from Ardbeg with real character and arguably one of the most distinctive and best of their limited releases. The name is in reference to the high level of charring in some of the barrels that were used to finish the whisky as the wood looks a little like alligator skin. Big, rich, peaty and bold – not for the faint hearted!
Non chill-filtered and cask strength (51.2%)
Some comments on this release:
Ardbeg Alligator is the result of experimentation carried out many years ago by the Distillery and its team headed up by Dr. Bill Lumsden, Head of Distilling and Whisky Creation.
“Alligator Charring” describes the method of charring (or burning) the inside of the oak casks before they are filled with spirit. The burnt wood staves take on the appearance of an alligator’s scales, hence the name. The heart of Alligator is spirit matured in ‘Level 4’ casks - the most intense type of charring you can achieve.
Lumsden said: “Since we bought and restored the Ardbeg Distillery we have undertaken lots of experiments, laying down spirit in different types of casks. This began back in the late 1990s and Alligator is a good example of one experiment that has definitely worked.
“The key for us was to “marry” the intense smoky bacon and charcoal taste of the whisky from these heavily charred casks with the equally intense smoky peaty flavours of hallmark Ardbeg and get the right taste. We are intensely pleased with the results and it would be fair to say that this whisky has bite.”
Ardbeg was voted Scotch Whisky of the Year three years in a row (2008-2010) by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.
Ardbeg Alligator has been bottled at 51.2% ABV and as with all Ardbegs is non chill-filtered for extra texture and mouth-feel.
www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk 1st September 2011
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