Ardbeg An Oa, 46.6% ABV, $65 USD
An Oa is aged in new charred oak, PX sherry and first fill bourbon casks.
- Nose: General sweetness, sherry, vanilla, lemon, lemon cleaner, ginger, licorice, bubble gum, soft oak, and a lighter peat than other Ardbegs, more of a campfire style.
- Taste: Fresh lemon, creamy oak, hickory, under-ripe pear, chocolate and toffee.
- Finish: Long, nice creamy oak. Very viscous/chewy, peat smoke hangs around.
- Thoughts: Really nice! Fresh, light, and well balanced. The peat is turned down but it’s still undoubtedly an Ardbeg. The 3 casks work well together, adding complexity and depth. Water ramps up the smoke. I think one question needs to be answered… is this better than the 10 year? I say yes. You get a little more here, and for only $10 more it’s an obvious buy.
- Score: 89 + 1 value point(s) = 90/100
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Scores:
After my initial score I add or subtract points relative on how I perceive value (based on what I paid for the bottle). A zero value means I think the price is justified.
0-69.5 – Don’t bother trying, life is too short for bad spirit.
70-79.5 – Worth trying, but you’re not missing out if you don’t.
80-84.5 – I recommend trying.
85-87.5 – Definitely try this!
88-92.5 – I recommend buying a bottle blind!
93-95.5 – Stuff you reserve for special pours!
96+ – The meaning of life.
My previous scores (excluding value points):
Amrut Spectrum 004 87.5
Ardbeg 10 88.0
Ardbeg An Oa 89.0
Ardbeg Corryvrickan 91.5
Ardbeg Kelpie 91.5
Ardbeg Uigeadail 90.0
Balvenie 15 Single Barrel – Sherry 89.0
Blanton’s Gold 86.5
Booker’s (2015-01) 89.5
Bowmore 12 83.5
Bowmore Devil’s Casks 3 87.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 6.1 92.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 6.3 93.0
Bruichladdich Octomore 7.1 90.5
Bruichladdich Octomore 7.3 90.5
Canadian Club 40 86.5
Caol Ila 12 82.5
Compass Box – Enlightenment 88.0
Compass Box – Peat Monster 84.5
Eagle Rare 10 83.5
Elmer T. Lee 87.0
Glendronach 12 Original 84.0
Glendronach 15 Revival 90.0
Glendroanch 18 Allardice 90.0
Glendronach 21 Parliament 91.0
Glenfarclas 17 88.0
Glenfarclas 25 92.0
Highland Park 15 87.0
Highland Park 25 92.0
Jack Daniel’s SB-BP (16-0574) 89.0
Kavalan Solist – Ex-Bourbon (57.8) 87.5
Kavalan Solist – Ex-Bourbon (KavaFan) 93.0
Kavalan Solist – Port Cask (KavaFan) 92.0
Kavalan Solist – Sherry Cask (58.7%) 90.5
Kavalan Solist – Vinho Barrique (57%) 89.5
Lagavulin 16 90.0
Laphroaig 10 86.0
Laphroaig Cairdeas Madeira 2016 87.5
Lot No. 40 86.0
Lot No. 40 Cask Strength 12yr 89.0
Macallan 12 Double Cask 80.0
Macallan 12 Fine Oak 84.0
Macallan 17 Fine Oak 88.0
Macallan 18 Fine Oak 86.0
Macallan 10 Sherry 85.5
Macallan 12 Sherry 86.5
Macallan 18 Sherry (1997) 92.5
Macallan Cask Strength 58.2% 94.0
Macallan Classsic Cut 2017 85.5
Macallan Edition 2 90.0
Macallan Edition 3 89.0
Orphan Barrel – Barterhouse 88.0
Pappy Van Winkle 23yr 93.5
Sazerac Rye 86.0
Stagg Jr. (Batch 4) 83.0
Talisker 25 89.0
W.L. Weller 12 85.0
Toronto Whisky Society 