Ardbeg 20 Year Old 1996 (casks 808 & 811) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
- Distillery
- Ardbeg
- Region
- Islay
- Country
- Scotland
- Type
- Single Malt
- ABV
- 46.5%
- Age
- 20 years
- Price
- £295.09
- Tasting notes
- Smokey, Coal-gas, Medicinal, Leathery, Oily
- Description
- Ardbeg's heavily peated character shines in this 1996 vintage, aged for 20 years in two carefully selected ex-bourbon casks and bottled in 2016. The Islay distillery's signature maritime smoke dominates, mingling with tar, brine, and a seam of orchard fruit sweetness that develops with air. The texture is rich and oily, with a long peppery finish that lingers on the palate. A benchmark peated Scotch for those seeking uncompromising smoke and complexity.
Similar bottles to Ardbeg 20 Year Old 1996 (casks 808 & 811) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Same price range with overlapping tasting notes:
- Ardbeg 20 Year Old 1996 (casks 808 & 811) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) vs Laphroaig 25 Year Old Cask Strength (2017 Release) — Laphroaig, £399, 5.0★ · Smokey, Sherried, Medicinal, Kippery
- Ardbeg 20 Year Old 1996 (casks 808 & 811) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) vs Bruichladdich 25 Year Old 1994 - Black Art 7.1 — Bruichladdich, £289.95, 5.0★ · Smokey, Old Wood, Leathery, Medicinal
- Ardbeg 20 Year Old 1996 (casks 808 & 811) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) vs Highland Park 24 Year Old 1990 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) — Highland Park, £209.95, 5.0★ · Smokey, Sherried, Honey, Old Wood
Different style alternatives to Ardbeg 20 Year Old 1996 (casks 808 & 811) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Same price range with a contrasting flavour profile:
- Ardbeg 20 Year Old 1996 (casks 808 & 811) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) vs Johnnie Walker Blue Label - Ghost & Rare Glenury Royal — Johnnie Walker, £399, 5.0★ · Sherried, Vanilla, Dried Fruit, Old Wood
- Ardbeg 20 Year Old 1996 (casks 808 & 811) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask — Tomintoul, £223.7, 5.0★ · Old Wood, Honey, Vanilla, Dried Fruit
- Ardbeg 20 Year Old 1996 (casks 808 & 811) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) vs Teaninich 23 Year Old 1972 - Rare Malts — Teaninich, £344.14, 5.0★ · Hay-like, Leafy, Malt Extract, Vegetative
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✦ Neatly Summary
Ardbeg 20 Year Old 1996 (casks 808 & 811) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) is a 20-year-old single malt from Ardbeg (Islay, Scotland), bottled at 46.5% ABV. Expect heavily peated, smoky and oaky character — smokey, coal-gas, medicinal, leathery. Best suited for experienced drinkers who enjoy bold, complex whiskies. A collector's expression at a premium price point.
Ardbeg's heavily peated character shines in this 1996 vintage, aged for 20 years in two carefully selected ex-bourbon casks and bottled in 2016. The Islay distillery's signature maritime smoke dominates, mingling with tar, brine, and a seam of orchard fruit sweetness that develops with air. The texture is rich and oily, with a long peppery finish that lingers on the palate. A benchmark peated Scotch for those seeking uncompromising smoke and complexity.
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