Ardbeg Wee Beastie 70cl

Region: Scotland

Alc: 47.4%

Nose: fresh herbal notes, with creeping hints of vanilla and pear. Rich Turkish coffee mingles with sappy pine resin, with honey-glazed ham lurking in the background.

Palate: Suddenly, a rich, explosive mouthfeel bursts forth with chocolate, creosote and tar. A powerful blast of eucalyptus thrashes about with antiseptic lozenges and aniseed. The raw, smoky intensity gathers pace, before smoked bacon and savoury meats sink into the palate.

"Wee" is a Scottish adjective which means small/little. A "beastie" is a creature, usually small and often with "attitude" beyond its size. A "Wee Beastie" then implies a small creature which has a hint of ferocity and wildness. It might be a bit mischievous or hard to control. In this instance, the "Wee Beastie" is in fact the whisky itself. Only 5 years old yet incredibly powerful with a formidable bite.