My husband John is a frequent traveller. Recently, he brought home the Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla edition of Islay single malt whisky. On his way back to the island, he picked it up at ORT airport.
As an Ardbeg enthusiast, it wasn’t surprising that he added this peaty whisky to our collection. The Ardbeg Smoketrails was released as a duty-free and distillery-exclusive.
Ardbeg Distillery, founded in 1815 by John McDougall, is situated on the southern side of Islay between Port Ellen and Kildalton. After changing hands several times, Glenmorangie acquired it in 1997, and it is currently owned by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy.
Ardbeg Smoketrails Islay single malt whisky was launched in 2022 and examines the impact of different casks from around the world on the classic Islay Scotch. The marketing for this release, focusing on cask influences, is reminiscent of the Macallan Quest series I tasted earlier this year.
This edition blends Ardbeg aged in ex-Manzanilla sherry casks and malt from Ardbeg’s traditional American oak casks. Manzanilla, a dry white wine aged under a layer of flor yeast for at least two years, is technically similar to Fino sherry but is produced and matured exclusively around Sanlúcar de Barrameda, near the sea.
This climate difference makes it lighter than Fino sherry. The Smoketrails edition is non-chill filtered and retailed for approximately £90 as a NAS (no age statement) release. It is a limited edition and it is followed up by the Ardbeg Smoketrails Côte Rôtie Edition that was released in 2023.
Also Read: Ardbeg Corryvreckan vs Uigeadail Whisky
Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla Whisky Review
ABV: 46%
REGION: Islay
COLOUR: Golden straw
NOSE: Characteristic Ardbeg peat and smoke with hints of tar and sea salt. An oily nuttiness blends with grilled orchard fruit and pine, accompanied by a fruity sweetness and vanilla.
PALATE: A harmonious mix of sweetness and classic Ardbeg peat and smoke. Notes of vanilla and toffee mixed with ash, wood smoke, and nuts. Hints of tart lemon drops, aniseed, and a subtle salty background.
FINISH: The medium-length finish ends with notes of salt, peat, and pine, leaving a faint fruity sweetness.
RATING: EXCELLENT
The Ardbeg Smoketrails Manazilla edition is not bad at all. I love peated whisky aged or finished in sherry casks that bring a sweeter note to balance the salty peat. It reminds me of Ardbeg An Oa whisky, though it is sweeter—probably the “sweetest” Ardbeg I’ve tried.
Adding water smoothes out the ash and peat, but it is delightful even without it, given its 46% ABV.
While the finish of this release is short compared to other Ardbegs, it is still a commendable bottle.
Also Read:Macallan Quest whisky
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