Fantastic video. You guys did the blind thing perfectly. This is why blind tasting is so important: we have so many biases and they color our thinking. I constantly cite how Bart mixed up Laphroaig 10 and Lagavulin 16 (which my wife and I also mixed up blind) despite being a huge peathead. We think these are more different than we are aware. I think the 10, 5 and An Oa are all excellent! Love Ardbeg all the way! (Laphroaig too!)
I just got a gift pack. The Three monsters of smoke. Ardbeg Ten, An Oa, and Wee Beastie. There each 200 ml bottles. Here's some of the info on the box. AAARRGHBEG!!! Wee bottles, Monster flavors!!! These incredible monsters of the whisky world have been sited in glasses around the globe. Wreaking flavor, tramping tastebuds, and startling senses wherever they go. From beneath the peat bogs, they came. Great little set.
YES! I just got a bottle of Wee Beastie and I'm sitting here with the neck pour wishing I had some 10-year-old to compare it with. Fortunately, the Dummies have the answers I was looking for. Perfect timing, boys! Cheers!
We had an off camera 5 and 10 comparison last night and thought they were both good. Surprisingly close to each other and preference could go either way.
Patrick Mac - What a surprise. AN OA comes out of nowhere to take center stage. That distinctive Ardbeg smoke in full richness with sweetness and smoothness is irresistible. Yes, other Islay whiskies produce fine peated flavor but Ardbeg brings smoke upfront with long-lasting enjoyment. AN OA is exceptional in providing a calming yet powerful peat richness that continues to linger.
Great comparison and I enjoyed the speed too. I have not seen the Wee Beastie here, but the 10 is a favourite of mine. Going to need to compare blind, like you said!
I had a neck pour of the beastie last night, finally found a bottle. The vegetal/sourness of the lagavulin 8 but much more unpleasantly sharp and youthful. Unless it changes shape after opening, Its going to get diluted with something else. Now I know I dont want such a low age statement. Oh well.
Hey Darryl. I also prefer Lagavulin 8 over Ardbeg 10. Laga 8 has IMO better balance, more complexity and doesn't present itself as a one trick pony as much as Ardbeg 10 does to me. I picked up the Wee Beastie thinking it would beat the 10 and was kind of disappointed with it on my first tasting compared with 10 and Laga 8. I've learned to not trust my first tastings so I'll stick with it and see how I calibrate to it over time. Initially I was expecting to like it more than 10 and it compete well with Laga 8 but that wasn't my initial impression. It was more interesting than 10, but not better tasting. Definitely rambunctious and agitated.
I’ve been seeing the Wee Beastie regularly for about $34 in California and the 10 for $46 - $55, more often $55. I’ve been seeing the An Oa for $65. So I think they’ve settled into different price categories.
Done this blind for myself several times. Always end up preferring the 5, with the 10 a close second and the An Oa a distant third. I also blind the Corryvreckan and Uigeadail but with more mixed results, lately preferring the Cory.
Thanks guys. Great video. I sure enjoyed it. I still need to try the An Oa some time, and would love to have the Wee Beastie, if I'm able to source it one day. No luck with that so far. I think it's a real show of integrity from Ardbeg to put a 5 year age statement on it, and I really respect it for that. By the way, I gotta say that I love the Star Wars themes that keep popping up. Thumbs up! Edit: Hope you had a great 4th of July!
Get on that An Oa. It's extremely good, don't let the critics sway you because it's the newer kid on the Ardbeg block. When you're watching reviewers that weren't high on An Oa in talking about it but then favor it in blind test... It's more well rounded in notes between the peat and sherry. Very very much an Ardbeg (smoke/peat) and just adds to your available options.
Ultimately, the great thing is that the Ardbeg bar for quality in their core range is HIGH. I’m just really glad they added another on the lower price end. A $300 19 year old isn’t exactly in the budget! But I love that I can now enjoy a Beastie and play around with it in cocktails if I so desire. To me it’s got a nice nuked marshmallow note among the tar, brine, some raspberry, coffee, and chocolate. Pretty impressive for 5 years! Makes me wonder if they’ll treat the 5 year minimum as almost more of a NAS thing-they would certainly be free to throw in some more well-aged stock into the Beastie. As ever, skål from Minnesota!
Exactly. Why would you buy the 5 year Beastie.. to expand your palate. Love this review. The 10 is the winner for me and for a change I’ll get the Beastie but only for $35. Any higher in price for the 5 year and I’m moving on.
@@ScotchTestDummies I am a big fan of Irish and scotch whisky and trying to collect bottles as much as I can....Its really hard to get most of the brands here....So I see your reviews to find the perfect bottle to make my money worth.....my fav bottle is Connemara 😍 and I emptyed 6 bottles already....
I wonder if Bart did this blind test again, would An Oa still come out on top. I've gone through a bottle of An Oa and would be happy to replace it and keep it stocked for friends/family/random after work pours. It's good. 10 and Uigeadail are also something special.
Love the blind shootouts! For the next March madness would you consider doing a scotch shootout excluding sherry bombs and heavily peated? The biggest challenge would be how to pick 16 bottles.
It matters sooo much what order you have the whiskies in when blind tasting. You could do this again tomorrow in a different order and get something different.
The way I see it, all are cracking whiskies...the An Oa give the best of both worlds for the peat lovers and the sherry lovers, like me. An Oa is a fantastic addition. I would have liked to have Ardbeg give an age statement on the An Oa.. that would have put the icing on the cake for me. Great fun guys...slainte...🥃🥃🥃
hey now; Barts editing isn't too bad. he does well on his games channel. glad to see this blind happen, but i think the An Oa gets a bad rap, i find it more enjoyable then the 10.
Great upload guys .. not a sniff of the beastie here in UK. Question to Bart hubster loves the tee can he ask where it’s from ? Could you do a sherry bomb blind taste? Slainte .
I went out to get another bottle of the ten and instead picked up the monsters of smoke 3pk so I could do this same challenge... you know what? Beastie won! It was the most unique on the nose and palate. Had a BBQ chocolate, sour, wet clay, warehouse cheese funk thing going on. Reminded me of a low ABV/PPM octomore.
The An Oa has some PX and virgin casks. Its less Ardbeg than the 10, which is why I personally prefer the ten (and the ten is cheaper in Ontario too). And was Bart actually complaining about a heavy pour of Ardbeg? Is the world ending? 🤣. Cheers gents. Happy 4th. 🥃🇨🇦🇺🇲
Hey Guys: Very nice quick impressions, I have a 10 yr. old on hand, next winter I may get the AN Oa. It seems they use a Solara type system for this similar to Glenfiddich with their 15. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!! Mike
I'm really don't like Scotch and especially not smoky Scotches. But I thought I would try an Ardbeg since all the raving reviews they get. So bought An Oa. And really liked it! An superb quality spirit with an unique taste. Highly recommend it. Inspired I decided to try a small bottle Lagavulin 16 as well. Didn't like it all - tasted like licking a piece of coal. Not all peaty Scotches are the same I guess:)
Guys great concept but you kinda missed the point...this wasnt supposed to be a video to see if you could pick out which was which blind it was to rank them blind which you didnt do until you revealed what was what which could change your mind and I dont know if Bart even ranked them
good point Bryan. we'll do that next time! plus we were trying to keep this short. I would have had to spend more time with the Wee and the 10 to make a decision there, but the An Oa was 3rd place for sure. Scott
The Kansas coronavirus Rt value is 1.16, so spreading pretty quickly due to lack of social distancing. I feel a COVID-19 review coming up.... TEST ITTTTTT!
Those are the same price you say? Wow. Here in BC, obviously CND currency and our liquor board rips us off, but the variance in price is as follows, Beastie $70, 10 is $97, and An Oa is $110!
I must have missed it, did Ardbeg win? I think my preference would be 10, 5, An Oa. If I had some An Oa I’d give this a try as a blind like this would be fun. Cheers 🥃
Whenever I'm unfaithful to Laphroaig, it's usually with Ardbeg. Still hoping that the 5 year will make it to Florida, which is now the hottest C-19 spot in America.
Wee Beastie is available in South Florida. I picked one up at Total Wine a couple months back. Still on the shelves every time I've been back. They've got the Blaaack in now, too (not the CR).
I am eager to try the Wee Beastie, but it's on something resembling a lottery system. We have a thing called the Summer Release, and now it's time to pre-order your Summer release whisky online from the BCL store of your choice... I ordered eight bottles. On July 11 I can pick up the bottles that I ordered unless others had their names pulled out of a hat first and the whisky that I ordered went to them... I'm sure I don't like this system, and it's all because of this Covid19 crap... It used to be that if you showed up in line before the store opened, you got a position in line, picked out the whiskies you wanted, and if they were sold out before your position in line came up, then too bad... Looks like now it's too bad unless you win your position in line according to some arcane arbitrary algorithm and you end up near the beginning of the line.
@@ScotchTestDummies That's true... Three or four of the eight that I chose will greatly disappoint me if I can't get them... So it goes. Still, there are many others to choose from...
Been a fan for about a year guys. Enjoy the content. Have gone back to watch most of the older videos as I’m relatively new to scotch. I understand the dynamic between you two and I know I’m not the only one to feel this way, but Bart you have to chill out and stop stepping all over Scott. I know the channel does well and if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. But Scott you are the SME now. Your nosing and tasting skills rival anybody else on the platform at this point and yet we still hear Bart most of the time. Maybe start your own channel as well Scott? I know I’d be all in. You both are entertaining but it’s your opinion I value the most and sometimes (or most) I don’t get to hear it.
haha thanks Damon. I don't even notice it anymore. In the beginning Bart really talked over me all the time. I think he does a lot better now and even catches himself from time to time. Scott
Scotch Test Dummies It is better. And I love Bart too. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so harsh. But I really do trust your opinion. The video that really made that sink in was the Avuavitae blind tasting. Anyway keep it up guys! And Happy Independence Day!
![Compass Box Whisky Nectarosity [Proef Whisky Review] (NL)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/E_vkeVaOKfw/mqdefault.jpg)
![Compass Box Whisky Nectarosity [Proef Whisky Review] (NL)](/img/tr.png)
I encourage you guys to do more of this blind tasting reviews. Great video as always. 👍
Thanks! Will do!
Fantastic video. You guys did the blind thing perfectly. This is why blind tasting is so important: we have so many biases and they color our thinking. I constantly cite how Bart mixed up Laphroaig 10 and Lagavulin 16 (which my wife and I also mixed up blind) despite being a huge peathead. We think these are more different than we are aware. I think the 10, 5 and An Oa are all excellent! Love Ardbeg all the way! (Laphroaig too!)
We agree! you learn a lot when blind! thanks Modular landing!
Another great video, thanks guys!
Thanks for watching!
Never had the An Oa, but IMO Wee Beastie blows the 10 away.
Ok
I just got a gift pack. The Three monsters of smoke. Ardbeg Ten, An Oa, and Wee Beastie. There each 200 ml bottles. Here's some of the info on the box. AAARRGHBEG!!! Wee bottles, Monster flavors!!! These incredible monsters of the whisky world have been sited in glasses around the globe. Wreaking flavor, tramping tastebuds, and startling senses wherever they go.
From beneath the peat bogs, they came. Great little set.
Beautiful and a great gift pack
Greetings from Japan! I enjoy your tests. This was very Interesting test. thank you guys! I'm loking forward to drink it!
Our pleasure! thanks Yuki!
YES! I just got a bottle of Wee Beastie and I'm sitting here with the neck pour wishing I had some 10-year-old to compare it with. Fortunately, the Dummies have the answers I was looking for. Perfect timing, boys! Cheers!
we love it when a plan comes together!
We had an off camera 5 and 10 comparison last night and thought they were both good. Surprisingly close to each other and preference could go either way.
agreed, Scott
Much needed side-by-side blind comparison guys, thanks
thanks OneGlass!
Patrick Mac - What a surprise. AN OA comes out of nowhere to take center stage. That distinctive Ardbeg smoke in full richness with sweetness and smoothness is irresistible. Yes, other Islay whiskies produce fine peated flavor but Ardbeg brings smoke upfront with long-lasting enjoyment. AN OA is exceptional in providing a calming yet powerful peat richness that continues to linger.
We like the way you talk
Great video guys! Love the blind tastings. The 5 year definitely holds its own.
Yes it does!
Great comparison and I enjoyed the speed too. I have not seen the Wee Beastie here, but the 10 is a favourite of mine. Going to need to compare blind, like you said!
Good choice! thanks neighbour!
I love the Oogie. I prefer the Lagavulin 8 over the Ardbeg 10. That beastie sounds like a must-try.
i think the Beastie is a must try, thanks Darryl. Scott
I had a neck pour of the beastie last night, finally found a bottle. The vegetal/sourness of the lagavulin 8 but much more unpleasantly sharp and youthful. Unless it changes shape after opening, Its going to get diluted with something else. Now I know I dont want such a low age statement. Oh well.
Hey Darryl. I also prefer Lagavulin 8 over Ardbeg 10. Laga 8 has IMO better balance, more complexity and doesn't present itself as a one trick pony as much as Ardbeg 10 does to me. I picked up the Wee Beastie thinking it would beat the 10 and was kind of disappointed with it on my first tasting compared with 10 and Laga 8. I've learned to not trust my first tastings so I'll stick with it and see how I calibrate to it over time. Initially I was expecting to like it more than 10 and it compete well with Laga 8 but that wasn't my initial impression. It was more interesting than 10, but not better tasting. Definitely rambunctious and agitated.
Lagavulin is for adults.
Hoping Ardbeg has a gift set of all three this Christmas season! Maybe 1/3 bottles of each the way others brands have done.
250ml bottle set would be nice!
Scotch Test Dummies you would hope Ardbeg would see the potential. Fans love sets, as do collectors.
I’ve been seeing the Wee Beastie regularly for about $34 in California and the 10 for $46 - $55, more often $55. I’ve been seeing the An Oa for $65. So I think they’ve settled into different price categories.
$34 is a good price for the Wee! thanks Erik.
The 10 is my go-to and then An Oa. Been trying to try the Corryvevkan but no luck always out here in Vegas. On the hunt for Wee Beastie...
the corryvreckan is a must try if you like Ardbeg! thanks Tim!
@@ScotchTestDummies Ordered some out of state, will have it by the weekend...
Done this blind for myself several times. Always end up preferring the 5, with the 10 a close second and the An Oa a distant third. I also blind the Corryvreckan and Uigeadail but with more mixed results, lately preferring the Cory.
Sweet
Thanks guys. Great video. I sure enjoyed it. I still need to try the An Oa some time, and would love to have the Wee Beastie, if I'm able to source it one day. No luck with that so far. I think it's a real show of integrity from Ardbeg to put a 5 year age statement on it, and I really respect it for that. By the way, I gotta say that I love the Star Wars themes that keep popping up. Thumbs up!
Edit: Hope you had a great 4th of July!
thanks for the great comment Willem! Agreed on Ardbeg throwing that 5 year statement on there!
Get on that An Oa. It's extremely good, don't let the critics sway you because it's the newer kid on the Ardbeg block. When you're watching reviewers that weren't high on An Oa in talking about it but then favor it in blind test... It's more well rounded in notes between the peat and sherry. Very very much an Ardbeg (smoke/peat) and just adds to your available options.
I haven't tried Wee Beastie yet, but, I've had 10 and An OA. The An OA reminds me a lot of Talisker 10. I definitely have to try the Wee Beastie next.
definitely!
When I cover whisky before drinking it makes the malt note prominent thereby preventing me from appreciating other whisky flavours.
i find it does help with the aromas, but I will nose it with the coin and without. the coin will help concentrate. Scott
@@ScotchTestDummies True, it does help with the aroma when nosing but it doesn't help when tasting
A fun and interesting ardbeg blind, enjoyed it. Why not do some more same distillery core range whisky blinds?. Cheers.
we may have to do that!
Ultimately, the great thing is that the Ardbeg bar for quality in their core range is HIGH. I’m just really glad they added another on the lower price end. A $300 19 year old isn’t exactly in the budget! But I love that I can now enjoy a Beastie and play around with it in cocktails if I so desire. To me it’s got a nice nuked marshmallow note among the tar, brine, some raspberry, coffee, and chocolate. Pretty impressive for 5 years! Makes me wonder if they’ll treat the 5 year minimum as almost more of a NAS thing-they would certainly be free to throw in some more well-aged stock into the Beastie. As ever, skål from Minnesota!
great comment, thanks Anders!
Can’t wait for the Wee Beastie to come to VA.
I still havne't seen it here in KS either yet.
Exactly. Why would you buy the 5 year Beastie.. to expand your palate. Love this review. The 10 is the winner for me and for a change I’ll get the Beastie but only for $35. Any higher in price for the 5 year and I’m moving on.
nothing wrong with that, thanks Dean.
not the easiest to follow but friggin’ interesting!! Good one! Thanks!
Glad you liked it! thanks Pfalzgraf!
Happy 4th of July guys..... love from India..... Ardbeg 10 is my fav
Thanks Denim. Very glad you're watching from India!!!!
@@ScotchTestDummies I am a big fan of Irish and scotch whisky and trying to collect bottles as much as I can....Its really hard to get most of the brands here....So I see your reviews to find the perfect bottle to make my money worth.....my fav bottle is Connemara 😍 and I emptyed 6 bottles already....
I enjoyed this one. Ardbeg is consistently good. I love all three you had.
So good! thanks Crump!
I wonder if Bart did this blind test again, would An Oa still come out on top. I've gone through a bottle of An Oa and would be happy to replace it and keep it stocked for friends/family/random after work pours. It's good. 10 and Uigeadail are also something special.
Good question! thanks Schwartz User!
Love the blind shootouts! For the next March madness would you consider doing a scotch shootout excluding sherry bombs and heavily peated? The biggest challenge would be how to pick 16 bottles.
pairing them up could be a problem too, thanks Mark.
Great guys👍🏻
thanks!
It matters sooo much what order you have the whiskies in when blind tasting. You could do this again tomorrow in a different order and get something different.
very true!
Interesting blind, guys 👍 - Still waiting on Wee Beastie here in the UK
Thanks Graham
The way I see it, all are cracking whiskies...the An Oa give the best of both worlds for the peat lovers and the sherry lovers, like me. An Oa is a fantastic addition. I would have liked to have Ardbeg give an age statement on the An Oa.. that would have put the icing on the cake for me. Great fun guys...slainte...🥃🥃🥃
agreed First Fill, but do admire the 5 year statement on Beastie!
hey now; Barts editing isn't too bad. he does well on his games channel. glad to see this blind happen, but i think the An Oa gets a bad rap, i find it more enjoyable then the 10.
very nice! thanks Erik!
Good review educational fun
Thank you
Great upload guys .. not a sniff of the beastie here in UK. Question to Bart hubster loves the tee can he ask where it’s from ? Could you do a sherry bomb blind taste? Slainte .
thanks Andrea, I believe that shirt is from a website that does a lot of mash ups and they only offer them for a short period. Scott
Ten. Always my favorite.
It is great
I went out to get another bottle of the ten and instead picked up the monsters of smoke 3pk so I could do this same challenge... you know what? Beastie won! It was the most unique on the nose and palate. Had a BBQ chocolate, sour, wet clay, warehouse cheese funk thing going on. Reminded me of a low ABV/PPM octomore.
BaBOOM!
The An Oa has some PX and virgin casks. Its less Ardbeg than the 10, which is why I personally prefer the ten (and the ten is cheaper in Ontario too). And was Bart actually complaining about a heavy pour of Ardbeg? Is the world ending? 🤣. Cheers gents. Happy 4th. 🥃🇨🇦🇺🇲
haha good call on the heavy pour! thanks Mark!
Hey Guys:
Very nice quick impressions, I have a 10 yr. old on hand, next winter I may get the AN Oa. It seems they use a Solara type system for this similar to Glenfiddich with their 15.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!
Mike
thanks Mike!
I'm really don't like Scotch and especially not smoky Scotches. But I thought I would try an Ardbeg since all the raving reviews they get. So bought An Oa. And really liked it! An superb quality spirit with an unique taste. Highly recommend it. Inspired I decided to try a small bottle Lagavulin 16 as well. Didn't like it all - tasted like licking a piece of coal. Not all peaty Scotches are the same I guess:)
very nice. An Oa for the win!
Some plain pretzels work great together with some water to cleanse your palette.
Great idea!!
More blind shootouts!
thanks Martin!
Nice one boys!
Thanks!
Guys great concept but you kinda missed the point...this wasnt supposed to be a video to see if you could pick out which was which blind it was to rank them blind which you didnt do until you revealed what was what which could change your mind and I dont know if Bart even ranked them
good point Bryan. we'll do that next time! plus we were trying to keep this short. I would have had to spend more time with the Wee and the 10 to make a decision there, but the An Oa was 3rd place for sure. Scott
The Kansas coronavirus Rt value is 1.16, so spreading pretty quickly due to lack of social distancing. I feel a COVID-19 review coming up.... TEST ITTTTTT!
we don't need no stinking social distancing! thanks dark patches!
When Bart said "Ten is C", I thought he was exclaiming something about a certain southern state where Jack Daniels is located.
haha I could see that!
My guess at the beginning is 10, 5, An Oa.
Now you need to do the blind test yourself too
Those are the same price you say? Wow. Here in BC, obviously CND currency and our liquor board rips us off, but the variance in price is as follows, Beastie $70, 10 is $97, and An Oa is $110!
wow, quite the difference. thanks Peter.
I must have missed it, did Ardbeg win? I think my preference would be 10, 5, An Oa. If I had some An Oa I’d give this a try as a blind like this would be fun. Cheers 🥃
thanks GKap!
Ardbeg gotta get them all!
without question.
No "12 Hours of Boom!" this summer?
nope. maybe in October with our Anniversary.
I want that Darth Vader shirt!
It is cool. It may still be available on RIPT
What's up, Dummies? An Oa for me!
Good times Brien...Good times
Whenever I'm unfaithful to Laphroaig, it's usually with Ardbeg. Still hoping that the 5 year will make it to Florida, which is now the hottest C-19 spot in America.
stay safe birddog and bigdog!
Wee Beastie is available in South Florida. I picked one up at Total Wine a couple months back. Still on the shelves every time I've been back. They've got the Blaaack in now, too (not the CR).
I am eager to try the Wee Beastie, but it's on something resembling a lottery system. We have a thing called the Summer Release, and now it's time to pre-order your Summer release whisky online from the BCL store of your choice... I ordered eight bottles. On July 11 I can pick up the bottles that I ordered unless others had their names pulled out of a hat first and the whisky that I ordered went to them... I'm sure I don't like this system, and it's all because of this Covid19 crap... It used to be that if you showed up in line before the store opened, you got a position in line, picked out the whiskies you wanted, and if they were sold out before your position in line came up, then too bad... Looks like now it's too bad unless you win your position in line according to some arcane arbitrary algorithm and you end up near the beginning of the line.
wow, don't know if I'd go through all that. there's a lot of good whisky out there already on the shelf!
@@ScotchTestDummies That's true... Three or four of the eight that I chose will greatly disappoint me if I can't get them... So it goes. Still, there are many others to choose from...
Been a fan for about a year guys. Enjoy the content. Have gone back to watch most of the older videos as I’m relatively new to scotch. I understand the dynamic between you two and I know I’m not the only one to feel this way, but Bart you have to chill out and stop stepping all over Scott. I know the channel does well and if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. But Scott you are the SME now. Your nosing and tasting skills rival anybody else on the platform at this point and yet we still hear Bart most of the time. Maybe start your own channel as well Scott? I know I’d be all in. You both are entertaining but it’s your opinion I value the most and sometimes (or most) I don’t get to hear it.
haha thanks Damon. I don't even notice it anymore. In the beginning Bart really talked over me all the time. I think he does a lot better now and even catches himself from time to time. Scott
Scotch Test Dummies It is better. And I love Bart too. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so harsh. But I really do trust your opinion. The video that really made that sink in was the Avuavitae blind tasting. Anyway keep it up guys! And Happy Independence Day!