by 
Ardbeg Blasda Single Malt. Islay, Scotland. ABV: 40.00%. Tasted at Tiger Lils, $11.
Colour: Translucent straw.
Nose: Peat, plenty of it. A hint of band aids after a bit of time in the glass.
Palate: Surprisingly smooth entry for an Ardbeg, feels like some soft smoke gently rolling in through your mouth.
Finish: Bit of a tingle at the front of the tongue. Peppery aftertaste.
Comments: An experimental offering from Ardbeg, they’ve deliberately tried to make it lightly peated (unlike every other Ardbeg I’ve ever tasted). Despite this, there is still a fair whack of peat. So while it’s not quite your typical Ardbeg, it’s not quite like anything else either, sort of a half-way house. Not bad, but it’s a little thin and doesn’t seem to really know what it’s striving to be…is it trying to be Ardbeg’s attempt at being very un-Ardbg-like, or is it trying to be something different? Either way, it seems to fall a little short. Quite drinkable, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to track it down.