The first of the limited bottlings that I've reviewed, although I've had most of them - I'm long overdue! This is the 2019 release for Ardbeg Day, and is finished in former rum casks (supposedly from Demerera rum, of El Dorado fame). Bottled at 46% and - as usual - uncolored and non-chill-filtered. What does Ardbeg look like through a rum filter?
Nose: Delectable. Iodine and peat give way to very very strong strong powdered cocoa, cooling orange oil, rich pineapple, ripe banana, and a very strong streak of lavender. Absolutely delicious aroma. In a second glass I encountered honey-glazed ham, and warm butter.
Mouthfeel: Medium body.
Palate: Very light peat and smoke - instead, you taste cocoa butter, vanilla orange sherbet, bright banana candy (like Runts), and more of the fragrant lavender. A little salt and pepper, maybe some bacon.
Finish: Peat and light smoke return here, to intertwine with grilled pineapple, overripe banana, and rich lavender.
Verdict: Interestingly, for a rum-finished Scotch, lavender is the prime suspect here! Lavender permeated my glass from start to finish. Pineapple and banana - as might be expected - placed second and third. This was rather light on the peat and smoke, but I didn't mind - you'll never forget it's an Islay, but it's rich and impossible to ignore. My favorite aspect was actually the subtle orange oil - almost like aromatherapy oils - that underpins many of the vanilla flavors. Excellent dram.
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