Ardbeg 1998 Very Young - b. 2004 - 70cl

Ardbeg Very Young 1998-2004, 58,3%, 700ml

Ardbeg Very Young is a remarkable bottling from the legendary Ardbeg distillery on the Scottish island of Islay. Known for its intense youthfulness and powerful flavors, this edition offers an impressive introduction to the world of Ardbeg’s smoky, peaty whisky.

For Ardbeg Very Young, only the highest-quality malted barley is used—dried over a peat-fired kiln to develop that signature smoky character. Following distillation, this young whisky is matured for a short period in select oak casks, allowing its flavors to harmonize and refine.

Colour: Golden straw with a warm amber glow and a whisper of coppery sheen.

Nose: Piercing peat smoke, saline sea breeze and medicinal iodine lead the nose, with graphite-mineral undercurrents. Subtle vanilla, toffee and dark sherry fruit—raisins, orange peel—emerge, providing a luxurious sweetness that complements the intensity of Ardbeg’s peat. A hint of citrus zest brightens the bouquet.

Palate: Powerful peat and smoke ride a sea-salted breeze, opening with iodine and lemon zest. Sherry notes deepen with dried fruit and cocoa, while vanilla and toasted oak lend warmth. The palate is full and mineral, with peppery spice and a long, briny finish.

Finish: Long, maritime peat lingers, edged with iodine and sea salt. Sherry cask influence unfurls a light sweetness—figs, cocoa, dried fruit—before a dry, peppery finish that tapers to mineral smoke and coastal warmth.