Islay Scotch whisky has a reputation as the most distinctive and assertive of all regional Scotch styles. Despite being a geographic designation, Islay represents a unique whisky style with peat-driven flavors and aromas among its most notable characteristics. Peat manifests in various unique and often intensive ways. Common descriptors include smoke/ash, iodine/medicinal, tarry rope, moist soil/earthy, cigar butts, and smoked fish, to name a few of the most common. The degree to which peat impacts a whisky varies according to its use for toasting the barley.

Ardbeg Distillery began operations in 1798, with commercial productions starting in 1815. Throughout its tumultuous history of intermittent shut-downs and ownership changes, Ardbeg built a solid reputation for creating some of the most classically styled Scotch whiskies ever produced. Today, under the ownership of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, a company spanning the gamut of lifestyle brands, sparked Ardbeg’s move toward cutting-edge, or more accurately, edgy marketing (check out our reviews of Ardbeg’s Unicorn’s Tale, Spectacular, and Anamorphic, for example).

Despite that newfound edginess, Ardbeg’s flagship product, Ardbeg Ten, is a proper standard for the brand, industry, and product class! Given its reign as an exemplary Islay Scotch, I was shocked to discover that I had not written a review of Ardbeg Ten. So, I want to thank PR guru extraordinaire and WWG Laura with The Baddish Group for providing me with a sample to rectify that travesty!

The Ardbeg Ten label has always intrigued me with its almost medieval styling. Walk into any well-stocked liquor store, and the stark white-on-black lettering written with a Celtic flair jumps right off the shelf (and, if you’re adventurous, into your basket). Whenever I see it, I think of the Dwarven Kings in Lord of the Rings! A stout and squat dark green bottle completes the “sturdy” look. Immediately upon opening the bottle, all of that awesome peatiness rushes out to awaken the senses!

Pouring into my trusty Glencairn nosing glass reveals a surprisingly lightly pale straw color that belies the intense whisky within. Classic Islay peat aromas fill the tasting space, most notably smoldering campfire smoke, tarry rope, iodine, and briny sea spray. Beyond those initial intensities lie hints of dry lemon zest, roasted corn, figs, band-aids, mown hay, freshly cut flowers, and a distant hint of roasted cashews.

The 46% ABV stings on the palate but adds to a full and surprisingly round and tongue-coating fatness. Campfire notes lead to a more ashen sensation, with the iodine and sea spray taking on an almost dried sardine flavor that’s light but notable. Notes of lemony cream sauce lead to hints of nutty nougat, malted barley, crushed black peppercorns, fresh ginger, and dried poultry seasonings. The swallow dries notably but reveals hints of polished leather, black licorice, caramel chews, oak wood, and more ashy campfire smoke. The finish is long and warm, continuing to dry, with salt spray and smoke lingering long after the finish.

Ardbeg Ten is not for the faint of heart. It’s also not what I would first recommend as an “introduction to Islay” whisky. Not that it isn’t a perfect example of Islay; it just may be “too much” Islay for some just starting to expand their Scotch experience. Other options, such as Laphroaig, Lagavulin, or Bowmore, are excellent examples of what makes Islay tick while offering less dramatically intense flavors to cut teeth on. That said, Ardbeg Ten is a fantastically, monstrously, and hauntingly magnificent example of why Islay Scotch is exceptional. It’s big, bold, and brash, and all in a good way. In other words, get some!