Ardbeg Corryvreckan: tasting notes and review
The Ardbeg Corryvreckan is a legendary whisky, a true work of art, we could not define it otherwise. If we have said that the Ardbeg 10 is Caravaggesque, because it is always dark and sharp, the Corryvreckan is comparable in beauty to the inspiration of Hieronymus Bosch: ecstasy in its pure state.
It is a peaty Scotch single malt, but the fruit is much more explosive and enveloping. It expands and also the spiciness is even more sumptuous. Chocolate, coffee, all mature sensations are interspersed with pungent notes of tar and iodine.
It is very different from the austere Ardbeg 10 and you may not like it, because they are the polar opposite. Everything is amplified, taken to the extreme, it shows a lot of muscles and spicy tones, yet it flows wonderfully on the palate.
Also suggestive is the name Corryvreckan, which comes from a whirlpool located north of the island of Islay where only the bravest goes to collect clams. Joking aside, it is a tough dram, the aging in French barrels only accentuates its spicy explosiveness.w
As good and suggestive as it is, however, Corryvreckan is a whisky that is not very easy to read, you will have to have the palate already accustomed to it. It is not immediate and at first glance, it can even put a moment in awe. Taste it perhaps with a drop of water several times or you risk “burning yourself”.
The Bouquet
The nose is a whirlwind, a descent into the maelstrom with peat, caramelized orange peel, charcoal, black cherries and chocolate mixed with coffee, licorice and splendid tones of medicinal herbs and dried flowers. Everything is embellished with balsamic hints of Mediterranean scrub, resinous at times and then walnuts and iodine. It is the scream of the sea that roars in the dark: an irresistible call for every Islay whisky lover. Variety and unique intensity. If you pour it into a glass you can also use it as a spiced potpourri instead of the usual flowers!
What does Ardbeg Corryvreckan taste like?
In the mouth, it is monumental, warm and salty, with a peaty first impact that crashes into a very ripe fruit and then this loving dance begins between the creaminess of the base and the smoking, then a salty peak and a lot of spicinesses. It is certainly not a docile Scotch, on the contrary, it explodes in every direction, expands, pushes a lot on the palate with mint and extreme spiciness, but then the softness returns, an almost maderized flavor, reminiscent of almond.
It is not a whisky for everyone and certainly requires a gradual approach, but if you are already a fan of peaty whiskies, this Ardbeg Corryvreckan is a must.
Ardbeg Corryvreckan price
80 euros, it’s worth it.
Suggested Food Pairings
Grilled meat, ribs with bbq sauce, brisket, pulled pork, all smoked meat in general and chocolate for a clear analogy of flavors and aromas. Pair it with chocolate mousse, pear and chocolate tart, strawberry and white chocolate cheesecake