Review #513 - Ardbeg 25 Year
Ardbeg 25 Year Old - we've seen several batches of this single malt bottled over the past few years. Because of the age, the liquid in these bottles was likely distilled in the 1990s, though it's tough to find the exact year - the distillery operated from 1989 to July 1996 on a small scale, but was then mothballed.
Glenmorangie took over in 1997, and production resumed in 1998 - it's been going ever since. The early batches of the 25 year old were distilled before Glenmorangie took over, but the more recent batches (from 2023 onward) could be from the revitalized distillery.
There's no description of the types of casks used for this single malt, and really, not a lot of other information in general; what we do know is that this is bottled at a strength of 46% ABV, and it's not chill filtered.
Ardbeg 25 Year
Scotland/Islay - Single Malt
Price: USD 1,000 (2025)
Age Statement: 25 Years
Strength: 46% ABV
Details: Not chill filtered
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 1 time. Tasted in a nosing glass, rested 15+ minutes
Nose: The peat is still relatively strong, but not as harsh as younger expressions. Lovely perfumed oak arrives, and we get some sweeter fruits: orange, pear, red cherry licorice. A subtle spice from anise arrives; this is quite rich but subtle, too.
Palate: Hot peppers and stronger oak start the palate - there's some smoke, but it's more mellow. Brown sugar adds some sweetness, and we get a tart red fruit; oak grows stronger, and it brings a perfumed side again. The mouthfeel has a medium thickness.
Finish: The perfume grows stronger - sweet, a little musty. Subtle tart fruits like nectarine linger in the aftertaste, and it's a medium-long finish.
Final Note: Lovely whisky - the peat is still stronger on the nose, but a bit more restrained on the palate and finish. A variety of fruits are found across the tasting experience, and there's a nice mixture of sweetness and tart flavor, too. Our favorite part was the sweet, perfumed oak - this single malt shows its age well.
Value, on the other hand, is poor. This bottle commands a huge price tag: around $1,000 to $1,100, at least in our market. Because of the status of the distillery and the rarity (or perceived rarity) of stocks of this age, Ardbeg opts to charge quite a bit; there are much better values to be found in 'old peat' elsewhere in the market.
Our Average Rating: 8.5 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 3.40
About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.
