I recently asked Ardbeg directly about the addition of E-150 and they replied that all of Ardbeg's expressions are natural color. Excellent review Peter, best regards.
That's great to know man, thanks. I think it's odd they don't state it on the bottle but thinking about it they don't say that on the 10 either and that's obviously natural color.
Excellent review Peter. General knowledge out there is that Uigeadail is a blend of 6-8 year old barrels. Uigedaile literally means a dark, mysterious place and I can attest that it is. Having had Laphroaig, Lagavulin different ages and abvs, I must admit that I view Uigeadail as something special in the peat category. Maybe it's the right peatiness, abv and overall texture of the liquid. In my experience, I have enjoyed bottles of Uigeadail releases in recent years and to my suprise it comes across so much more and mature to it's younger sibling, Weebeastie at 5 years old and 10 which is a little older. I am still holding on tight a bottle of Uigeadail I purchased 12-13 years ago while on a road trip. A special whisky for sure.
I was lucky enough to begin my Peated Whisky journey with Uigeadail. I wasn't prepared for the flavor surprise that came with it, but it opened my eyes and was like discovering buried whisky treasure. It sold me on Scotch and absolutely love it.
Those are big heavy in your face flavors. I'm happy to know you are one of the people that took to them right away. I had this bottle on my shelf for 6 months or more before I was brave enough to try it.
My first really complex (& my first Islay) single malt whisky, the Uigeadail will always have a soft spot in my heart. Ardbeg's core range is where the distillery really shines from a quality & value perspective. Thanks Peter.
Couldn’t agree more on the score or how wonderful this is in general. If we could only have one reasonably available peated Scotch it would be this one.
Great review Peter! Everyone should have an Ugi in their collection. That being said, when I’m in the mood for peat and sherry I reach for Kilchoman these days. The Kilchoman style of peat goes really well with all kinds of sherry for me.
My first “Oogie” was probably 8 yrs ago. I bought another around 2020 and felt like it went downhill a bit. Still really good but enjoyed the earlier bottling much more.
This is a delight for me! I am a huge Ardbeg fan and although Lagavulin is my favourite this distillery comes right after as a love! I pay $156 in Canada before taxes but it's worth it for me. Delicious peated whisky! I do love ex-Bourbon casks and when I can I source them out as I also don't want to get tired of the sherry profile. I'm not sure I could ever get tired of this expression. I really love it and the fabulous peat and ABV along with such delicious flavours - dark fruits, chocolate, meaty flavours, some pineapple, perhaps toffee in addition to chocolate, delicious salt - oh I adore this beauty!! I don't add water anymore but I know some people prefer added water. I'm okay with NAS when they are this delicious!! Terrific background info Peter. Ardbeg has had a very complex past with ownership right? Understatement. I am so glad they managed to reopen! I think Ardbeg should focus more on their core lineup than focus on some overpriced special releases and I think this tends to be a popular view. Geoff from GWhisky thinks this expression used to be better. I wasn't into peated scotch back then but I do believe in focusing on a strong core lineup for consumers. For me this is well worth $156 even though it gets pricey with 2 added taxes! I am okay with the price and I savour this beauty along with the Coreyvreckan and whoa that has a great ABV and flavour!! Awesome video Peter. I enjoyed it so much. I hope you are doing okay. Sending care as always. Have an awesome day! 🙂
I cut out an entire section where I talked about the "decline" of the quality of this due to the depleted stock of the sherry casks that they used in the original bottling. I can't comment on the quality of older bottles because I have not had them. However, I can comment on my bottle and I enjoy it a tremendous amount. I have a Lagavulin review coming out next Monday. Thanks again for sharing and contributing to the conversation. I appreciate your comments. Cheers!
@@whiskeyisajourney I',m so excited about the upcoming Lagavulin review! You know how I love this distillery!! I wasn't drinking scotch at all back when 'the older' UIG expressions were out either. I have heard from Geoff with GWhisky who laments the changes but for me? I love, love, love what I get now in this delicious expression!! We are in total agreement Peter as usual!! Great minds think alike!! Lol!! I always thoroughly enjoy your thoughts and your excellent research! Every attempt is appreciated!! Do you like the ex-Bourbon cask aged Laphroaig? I have never been into it nearly as much as Lagavulin and Ardbeg!! I do love ex-Bourbon scotch though for sure!! Cheers!! 🙂
I've seen a lot of reviews that say the new batches are not as good as the old ones. Luckily (for me) I haven't tried the old ones because i tried one recently and i absolutely loved it. Definitely gonna add it to my collection. Thabks for the great review Peter. 🥃
This is currently my favorite peated but only had a few. Bought a second bottle based on two pours. Like it better than Lagavulin 11 Charred Oak and Johnnie Green that might not count. Have Lagavulin 16 and a few more coming in this week.
Thank you. I am glade you enjoyed the review. I have gotten grilled pineapple in a few peated scotch over the past year and now grilled peaches are showing up as well.
Drink this straight after a Laphproaig 10 CS to see just how extremely sweet this dram is. The contrast makes it worse to be honest, so only do this out of curiosity (the contrast really makes the sherry sweetness standout). Glazed ham comes to mind. I really like the Uigedail but drinking side by side makes me realize I might actually prefer the Laphroaig 10 CS. I have a 2023 bottle so it may be different.
I will have to try them side by side to see. It's always interesting to see how they stack up, head to head and how the profiles change based on what you had previously.
I like them both, but the Loch Gorm (2022 release that I have) drinks a little hot and comes across a little sharp so the Uigeadail edges it out for me. I will be doing a review of the Loch Gorm soon and it is definitely up there as one of my favorite sherried peated scotches. How about you? How do they compare?
Thanks for the response. I'm a whiskey newbie, and so far, out of everything I've ever tried, Loch Gorm is the best for me. Ardbeg Uigeadail is on my list, and I haven't tried it yet. In my market, Uigeadail is $92, and Loch Gorm is $102. I'm currently trying to decide whether to go for Loch Gorm again or venture into Uigeadail. From the whiskies I've tasted, I'd say my palate aligns with the ones you've given high ratings to, and I've watched almost all of your videos on Scotch whiskies.
This is the only heavily peated single malt that I can enjoy because of the meaty smoke you mention. There's a reason it's the best selling Ardbeg in their line-up.
@@christinecamley Yes, I have tried the Corryvreckan, it's a bit pricier here in SoCal. $86 vs $110. Funny you should mention Lagavulin, the Distiller's Edition is my favorite peated single malt Scotch whisky.🥃
I prefer bourbon but have been looking at higher ABV scotch whiskies to try like this one, Corryvrecken, and other distilleries (Tamdhu). Am curious as to some favorites. Thanks Peter!
If I can find this in my area of nys it’s always 100$ minimum. Found corveckyn and ugandal for 90$ a bottle in Philipsburg Saint Maarten. Grabbed a few bottles. I drank an entire bottle of coryveckn yesterday lol
I recently asked Ardbeg directly about the addition of E-150 and they replied that all of Ardbeg's expressions are natural color. Excellent review Peter, best regards.
Okay. That's good to know. I thought that was the case. Thanks.
@@whiskeyisajourney Yup agreed Peter and Jose! Good to know! I am happy to have this confirmed!! 🙂Integrity bottling!!
That's great to know man, thanks. I think it's odd they don't state it on the bottle but thinking about it they don't say that on the 10 either and that's obviously natural color.
It's really unfortunate that they've refused, so far, to put that anywhere on the bottle.
Why can’t they put that on the label me wonders? 🤔
Excellent review Peter. General knowledge out there is that Uigeadail is a blend of 6-8 year old barrels. Uigedaile literally means a dark, mysterious place and I can attest that it is. Having had Laphroaig, Lagavulin different ages and abvs, I must admit that I view Uigeadail as something special in the peat category. Maybe it's the right peatiness, abv and overall texture of the liquid. In my experience, I have enjoyed bottles of Uigeadail releases in recent years and to my suprise it comes across so much more and mature to it's younger sibling, Weebeastie at 5 years old and 10 which is a little older. I am still holding on tight a bottle of Uigeadail I purchased 12-13 years ago while on a road trip. A special whisky for sure.
I will definitely be looking for an older bottle to compare this one to. Just not sure how available order bottles are.
I was lucky enough to begin my Peated Whisky journey with Uigeadail. I wasn't prepared for the flavor surprise that came with it, but it opened my eyes and was like discovering buried whisky treasure. It sold me on Scotch and absolutely love it.
Those are big heavy in your face flavors. I'm happy to know you are one of the people that took to them right away. I had this bottle on my shelf for 6 months or more before I was brave enough to try it.
My first really complex (& my first Islay) single malt whisky, the Uigeadail will always have a soft spot in my heart. Ardbeg's core range is where the distillery really shines from a quality & value perspective. Thanks Peter.
I'm a fan of the distillery and looking forward to trying more from their core range.
@@whiskeyisajourney The Corryvreckan is the natural progression from the Ugi. Enjoy!
@@TJO1913 so many people have recommended it, I can't wait to try it. Cheers!
Couldn’t agree more on the score or how wonderful this is in general. If we could only have one reasonably available peated Scotch it would be this one.
Is the price reasonable in your area? Is it at $100 or is it under?
Great review Peter!
Everyone should have an Ugi in their collection. That being said, when I’m in the mood for peat and sherry I reach for Kilchoman these days. The Kilchoman style of peat goes really well with all kinds of sherry for me.
Very nice review Peter.
Never tried this version but checked price and it is selling for $80 by me
I'm thinking that's a good/fair price.
My first “Oogie” was probably 8 yrs ago. I bought another around 2020 and felt like it went downhill a bit. Still really good but enjoyed the earlier bottling much more.
I have heard a lot of people say the same thing. I actually cut out an entire section of my review that talked about that very thing.
This is a delight for me! I am a huge Ardbeg fan and although Lagavulin is my favourite this distillery comes right after as a love! I pay $156 in Canada before taxes but it's worth it for me. Delicious peated whisky! I do love ex-Bourbon casks and when I can I source them out as I also don't want to get tired of the sherry profile. I'm not sure I could ever get tired of this expression. I really love it and the fabulous peat and ABV along with such delicious flavours - dark fruits, chocolate, meaty flavours, some pineapple, perhaps toffee in addition to chocolate, delicious salt - oh I adore this beauty!! I don't add water anymore but I know some people prefer added water. I'm okay with NAS when they are this delicious!! Terrific background info Peter. Ardbeg has had a very complex past with ownership right? Understatement. I am so glad they managed to reopen! I think Ardbeg should focus more on their core lineup than focus on some overpriced special releases and I think this tends to be a popular view. Geoff from GWhisky thinks this expression used to be better. I wasn't into peated scotch back then but I do believe in focusing on a strong core lineup for consumers. For me this is well worth $156 even though it gets pricey with 2 added taxes! I am okay with the price and I savour this beauty along with the Coreyvreckan and whoa that has a great ABV and flavour!! Awesome video Peter. I enjoyed it so much. I hope you are doing okay. Sending care as always. Have an awesome day! 🙂
I cut out an entire section where I talked about the "decline" of the quality of this due to the depleted stock of the sherry casks that they used in the original bottling. I can't comment on the quality of older bottles because I have not had them. However, I can comment on my bottle and I enjoy it a tremendous amount. I have a Lagavulin review coming out next Monday. Thanks again for sharing and contributing to the conversation. I appreciate your comments. Cheers!
@@whiskeyisajourney I',m so excited about the upcoming Lagavulin review! You know how I love this distillery!! I wasn't drinking scotch at all back when 'the older' UIG expressions were out either. I have heard from Geoff with GWhisky who laments the changes but for me? I love, love, love what I get now in this delicious expression!! We are in total agreement Peter as usual!! Great minds think alike!! Lol!! I always thoroughly enjoy your thoughts and your excellent research! Every attempt is appreciated!! Do you like the ex-Bourbon cask aged Laphroaig? I have never been into it nearly as much as Lagavulin and Ardbeg!! I do love ex-Bourbon scotch though for sure!! Cheers!! 🙂
I do like the Laphroaig. Granted it's much different than the other two, but still enjoy it especially the cask strength.
Oh yes the cask strength expression is fabulous!! Agreed!
The Ugi is easily in my top 5 favorite whiskeys.
Same here. I have also heard a lot of good things about Coreyvreckan. I still have not had it, but it's on my radar.
I've seen a lot of reviews that say the new batches are not as good as the old ones. Luckily (for me) I haven't tried the old ones because i tried one recently and i absolutely loved it. Definitely gonna add it to my collection. Thabks for the great review Peter. 🥃
I'm with you. I've only had the newest batch so I'm thinking ignorance is bliss.
Just picked up a bottle of this on base at Fort Hood for $60. I’m excited to try it! (Great video. Excellent format and communication! Subbed)
Great price on that bottle. I hope you enjoy it. It's still to this day one of my favorite peated bottles. I appreciate the support! Welcome. Cheers!
This is currently my favorite peated but only had a few. Bought a second bottle based on two pours. Like it better than Lagavulin 11 Charred Oak and Johnnie Green that might not count. Have Lagavulin 16 and a few more coming in this week.
It ranks up there with me as well. Cheers!
Uigie is the King of shelfers.
I agree. I'll be keeping a bottle on my shelf. I'm going to look for an older bottle to replace this one once it's gone
really liked this review. can't say i've ever picked up on "grilled pineapple" but I'm going to keep that top of mind for next time!
Thank you. I am glade you enjoyed the review. I have gotten grilled pineapple in a few peated scotch over the past year and now grilled peaches are showing up as well.
Drink this straight after a Laphproaig 10 CS to see just how extremely sweet this dram is. The contrast makes it worse to be honest, so only do this out of curiosity (the contrast really makes the sherry sweetness standout). Glazed ham comes to mind.
I really like the Uigedail but drinking side by side makes me realize I might actually prefer the Laphroaig 10 CS.
I have a 2023 bottle so it may be different.
I will have to try them side by side to see. It's always interesting to see how they stack up, head to head and how the profiles change based on what you had previously.
Great video! I'm curious, in your opinion, what is better, Kilchoman Loch Gorm or Uigeadail?
For me I will take Uigeadail any day over Loch Gorm.
I like them both, but the Loch Gorm (2022 release that I have) drinks a little hot and comes across a little sharp so the Uigeadail edges it out for me. I will be doing a review of the Loch Gorm soon and it is definitely up there as one of my favorite sherried peated scotches. How about you? How do they compare?
Thanks for the response. I'm a whiskey newbie, and so far, out of everything I've ever tried, Loch Gorm is the best for me. Ardbeg Uigeadail is on my list, and I haven't tried it yet. In my market, Uigeadail is $92, and Loch Gorm is $102. I'm currently trying to decide whether to go for Loch Gorm again or venture into Uigeadail. From the whiskies I've tasted, I'd say my palate aligns with the ones you've given high ratings to, and I've watched almost all of your videos on Scotch whiskies.
Nice. Thanks for watching. It gets expensive, but I say expand your palate by trying different things if your budget allows.
@@whiskeyisajourney Absolutely!!
This is the only heavily peated single malt that I can enjoy because of the meaty smoke you mention. There's a reason it's the best selling Ardbeg in their line-up.
Have you tried the Coreyvreckan? I enjoy it as well as my beloved Lagavulin expressions. Love them. I get delicious meaty peat with most! Cheers!
There is something about the meaty smoke that goes well with the sweetness that makes this a hit. Cheers!
Corryvreckan is on my to buy list. I have heard a lot of good things about it.
@@christinecamley Yes, I have tried the Corryvreckan, it's a bit pricier here in SoCal. $86 vs $110. Funny you should mention Lagavulin, the Distiller's Edition is my favorite peated single malt Scotch whisky.🥃
@@whiskeyisajourney A $25 difference between the two most popular Ardbegs. Uigeadail: $86, Corryvreckan: $110 at Total Wine in Pasadena, CA.
Just became a subscriber, great presentation.
Thanks. I hope you continue to enjoy the channel. Cheers!
I prefer bourbon but have been looking at higher ABV scotch whiskies to try like this one, Corryvrecken, and other distilleries (Tamdhu). Am curious as to some favorites. Thanks Peter!
Tamdhu is a favorite, but can be sherry cask heavy at times. I really like what Kilchoman is doing and lagavulin is also up there.
If I can find this in my area of nys it’s always 100$ minimum. Found corveckyn and ugandal for 90$ a bottle in Philipsburg Saint Maarten. Grabbed a few bottles. I drank an entire bottle of coryveckn yesterday lol
I haven't had the Coryveckn yet. A lot of people love this bottle and say it might be Ardbeg's best in the lineup. Cheers!
@@whiskeyisajourney higher abv and easier to drink. If you can find it grab it.
I have one available hit me up if intrested
Uigeadail has been around for a while, not just released in 2023. Cheers
Gosh dang it. Did I say it was released in 2023 or did I say my bottle was 2023? I don't know what I said.
My favorite scotch!
It's up there for me for sure. Cheers!
Great review Peter
Thanks!
Bernhard Rue
Taste good taste on price not good.
Fair enough. Cheers!