Ardbeg Wee Beastie

Description

Ardbeg Wee Beastie: Untamed Islay Smoke at Five Years Old

Discover the youngest and most ferocious member of the core range from the iconic Ardbeg Distillery, located on the south coast of the legendary whisky island of Islay. Ardbeg Wee Beastie is an intense single malt that was intentionally bottled young to capture the spirit’s most potent, raw character, a deliberate move to deliver maximum phenolic punch.

The whisky’s name, “Wee Beastie,” refers to a small but formidable creature, often a biting insect or, in Islay legend, a small monster said to roam the peat bogs. This moniker perfectly suits the dram’s powerful and vibrant profile, offering a bold and untamed experience that sets it apart from its older siblings. It is the result of a quest by Ardbeg’s team to explore the impact of youth on their famously peaty spirit.

This Islay Single Malt is aged for a minimum of five years, proudly displaying its age statement on the bottle—a rare choice in modern whisky releases. The spirit is matured in a combination of carefully selected Ex-Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks. This marriage of cask types is essential; the sweetness and fruit notes from the sherry casks temper the raw, intense smokiness inherited from the ex-bourbon oak, preventing the young spirit from becoming overwhelming while preserving its fiery character.

Bottled at a robust 47.4% ABV and non-chill filtered, Wee Beastie showcases a dazzling, bright gold colour. On the palate, it delivers an explosive mouthfeel, bristling with notes of hot tar, savoury smoked meats, and a sharp, zesty tang. Its relative youth ensures the famous Ardbeg peat smoke remains highly prominent and distinctly spicy, making it a thrilling choice for those who crave a powerful, elemental Islay experience that is closer to the still.

Ardbeg Wee Beastie Tasting Note

Nose: The initial impression is highly vegetal peat smoke, reminiscent of a damp bonfire and freshly cracked black pepper. Beneath the smoke, a curious freshness emerges, blending savory notes of honey-glazed ham and rich espresso with a hint of sappy pine resin.

Palate: The mouthfeel is explosive and oily. A powerful wave of hot tar and creosote hits first, swiftly followed by dark chocolate and intense spices. The youthful spirit asserts itself with a bright, zesty tang, balanced by underlying hints of smoked bacon and eucalyptus lozenges.

Finish: This is long and salty, with a coating texture that slowly fades, leaving a lasting impression of lingering wood ash and sea spray. The heat from the high ABV softens into a dry cocoa powder note.

Overall: As the youngest expression in the core range, the Wee Beastie brilliantly achieves its goal of being raw and intense. Its combination of aggressive smoke and subtle sherry sweetness makes it a dynamic and powerful pour that truly showcases the untamed character of the Ardbeg spirit.