There is a new Beastie in town! Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year old Islay single malt Scotchwhisky is the latest expression to join the Ardbeg distillery’s permanent range. Barely three years after the launch of the Ardbeg An Oa whisky, the Wee beastie is the youngest Ardbeg in the permanent range.
In Scotland, a ‘wee beastie’ is any small and irritating insect. It references the Robert Burns poem about a timid little field mouse.
The Ardbeg Wee Beastie whisky has been matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks. Comparatively, the Ardbeg 10 yo was mainly aged in ex-Bourbon casks.
The Wee Beastie whisky, at 5 years old, is half the age of the standard Ardbeg 10 year old release. It retails for around R600. The Ardbeg 10 yo retails only R50 more. I wonder if the small price difference with the 10 yo whisky does not make the Wee Beastie a bit expensive. For an extra R50, you can get a delicious dram that is 10 years old. Is the Wee Beastie worth the premium price?
Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year old Whisky Review
REGION: Islay
ABV: 47.3%
COLOUR: Bright Gold
NOSE: Big and bold recognizable Ardbeg with seaweed, green herbal notes, bits of peat and medicinal notes mixed with coffee, smoky bacon and a soft fruity sweetness. Ripe baked apples, vanilla sugar with bits of burnt toast. Not the most complex nose, but intriguing enough to want to explore more.
PALATE: Peat and smoke with dark chocolate. Bits of fruity antiseptic lozenges with ash and salt. Green grass, bits of citrus and fruit sweetness with damp earth and oaky bits. Big and bold but with the sharp edges of a young whisky. There are none of the marine notes you find in the Corryvreckan or Uigeadail; the Beastie also has a softer iodine profile.
Water softens the sharp edges a bit. I finished my first glass without water. So I had to have a second glass to check. Carefully add water, despite the young profile and higher ABV, water dampens down the peat smoke if you add too much.
FINISH: Short compared to the Ardbeg 10 year old and not as complex. Hints of smoke and salt, bits of lemon pepper.
RATING: EXCELLENT
It might be a Wee Beastie; however, it is a small version of a big animal. It shows all the big, bold promise of Ardbeg, but in a rawer format. It would be an excellent introduction to Islay peat for a whisky lover.
I do think it is a bit expensive when compared to the 10 year old release. However, it is a fun expression to have that shows the impact of time and wood on the Ardbeg spirit.
It makes for a fun side by side with the older brother and even with the Ardbeg An Oa. Go and give it a try and let me know what you think.
Also Read: Kilchoman Machir Bay Whisky
Enrico
I find Wee Beastie to be unripe, too stark and too pricey. If I had to choose between Ardbeg 10 and Wee Beastie I’d go for 10 all the time. Bear in mind this is coming from someone who would take a dram of Corry over Oogie.
Johan
All the way from Scotchland I come across your site and going to spend my Friday evening enjoying whisky and reading your reviews. Starting on a Cuttysark Prohibition and maybe ending somewhere in Speyside. I saw someone else do a blend of the Weebeastie and 10yr 50/50 ratio and sounded very interesting. Will try it over Christmas myself, whisky isn’t just for sharing but experimenting also. Will try the freezer and Black Bottle over Christmas also. Used to do it with Rooi Muscadel. Geniet die somer.