더글라스 레인 올드 파티큘러 아드벡 (Douglas Laing Old Particular Ardbeg)

“Nose: campfire by the sea, mineralic, hard cheese, fresh bandages, gooseberries, a little marzipan. Mouth: peat forward, more of a bonfire now, chewy, burnt toffee, ash, loads of ash, cheesecake, digestives, slight herbal note, mineralic chalky note. I'd put good money on this being ardbeg actually. In fact I'm not convinced it could be any other islay distillery. In any event it's a rather good ex bourbon single cask islay malt. ... I'm left happy with the outlay.”

“Nose: this baby's actually not perfectly comparable to the 1990, the styles are extremely different. This one's much cleaner, less peaty on the nose and much more on vanilla and yellow fruits such as peaches and mirabelles - at least at first nosing. More smoke (bonfire) and eucalyptus do come through after two or three minutes, though, together with some pinesap and a little antiseptic, as well as my beloved gentian (earth, roots, more antiseptic). ... Mouth: a rather soft and smooth arrival with even a little pear liqueur and mild acacia honey, but it would then steadily accelerate, just like an old muscle car. ... Finish: long, ultra-clean and zesty. Limes, smoke, seashells and the usual salty tang in the aftertaste.”

“Comments: a thick beast, not extravagantly peaty but our vegetal friend may be hiding behind the 'wall of sherry'. SGP:476 - 90 points. ... Quite a lot of mint as well, honeydew, cough medicine and liquorice, then raisins and prunes that create a feeling of, say peated armagnac. A little curry too, bitter oranges, some cardamom, certainly quite some cloves...”