Ardbeg Blasda

[William]

You have probably already heard about Ardbeg Blasda, the new forthcoming bottling from Ardbeg. Well according to Ardbegs site it will be released on the 29th of September.

[Big Mac]

Looks like it is another Ardbeg which isnt going to be available in the US, wonder why this is.

Mac

[Gary H]

I would have to taste it before judging it but it does strike me as being a bit over priced at £40 for a young no age statement whisky bottled at 40%. As i say i will have to taste it. It will certainly be interesting to compare it to a peated Ardbeg.

Gary

[William]

Hi

I received some more info today from Ardbeg about their new Ardbeg Blasda:

Introducing Blasda - Lightly peated Ardbeg

Ardbeg is famed for packing a peaty punch, but there is more to The Ultimate Islay Malt than meets the eye (or indeed nose or tastebud). To prove it, Ardbeg has undertaken an experiment: to tame its usual mighty peating level and allow Ardbeg's lighter qualities to shine through. The happy result is Blasda, which in Gaelic means "sweet and delicious"?.

Ardbeg, the peatiest of Islay malts, is about to tantalise its fans with a limited release of a lightly peated expression called Blasda, recommending that Ardbeggians conduct their own blasachd (tasting) to compare the highly peated Ardbeg Ten Years Old with Blasda. At only 8ppm (parts per million phenol) in the bottle, Blasda unmasks the delicious sweetness of sherbet vanilla, chocolate limes and the floral fragrance that is inherent in all expressions of Ardbeg.

Hamish Torrie, Ardbeg Brand Director, says: "Here at Ardbeg, we like to serve Blasda as an aperitif. Wherever you are in the world, join us for a Blasda at "8ppm"? and enjoy the lovely, lip-smacking, lighter side of Ardbeg, comparing it to our famed and very peaty Ardbeg Ten Years Old. It's a limited, experimental release of some very "light"? Ardbeg and will no doubt arouse the curiosity of Islay malt drinkers - and is part of our ongoing "conversation"? (or debate!) with the Ardbeg Committee - our huge and very loyal fan club"?.

The packaging of Blasda is distinctively different - a clear glass bottle instead of the usual Ardbeg green - to emphasise the difference to Ardbeg Ten Years Old and the rest of the range. That's not all that is different - Blasda is chill-filtered and presented at 40% alcohol by volume (abv), where Ardbeg is usually non chill-filtered at a minimum of 46% abv.

The Ardbeg Committee - a group of Ardbeg fans around the world that are joined in their appreciation of the "Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky' - will find out about this new Ardbeg just before its launch at the end of September and are expected to have some strong opinions on the subject, perhaps even some thoughts of blasphemy!

Mickey Heads, Ardbeg Distillery Manager, confirms: "The peating level may be lower, but this is definitely a great Ardbeg which Ardbeggians will be clamouring to try. I expect I'll have a few tricky questions as Chairman of The Committee, but I am more than happy to endorse Blasda. "?

William

[Alastair]

Hi William

Thanks for the info, it has certainly raised my curiosity.

Alastair

[Fergie]

Yes, thanks for the info William.

It will be interesting to see how much of Ardbeg as we know it is obvious in the new Blasda. Ardbeg keep getting more and more of my money with all these new bottlings they keep releasing, lol. Havent been disappointed yet but it will be interesting to try this one along side a regular Ardbeg 10.

Fergie

[Samson]

[McKay]

I will definitely be trying this not sure if i will think wow Ardbeg without the peat or be be disappointed as the peat is missing either way i am looking forward to trying it.

McKay

[Gregor]

[Charlie]

Hi

Just stumbled across your forum and spotted this post about the new Ardbeg Blasda. Ardbeg is my one of my main tipples so i will certainly be trying it.

Charlie

[Mark]

It has certainly got me curious enough to want to try it.

Mark

[islayonspey]

[Charlie]

Thanks for the welcome Rene,

I will wait to see if The Whisky Exchange will have it available, i assume they will, then i can add it to my order as i have a few bottles i want to restock from The Whisky Exchange.

Charlie

[Bookie]

I would like to try it but suspect i may be disappointed. I am a little weary of the 40% ABV, chill filtered, low peat level and it is also a young whisky with an older whiskys price. It may have lost what makes Ardbeg so good for me but as i say i would like to try it but will wait for a few reviews on it before spending the money.

Bookie

[McKay]

Hi Bookie and welcome to the forum.

I am the same myself, i will wait to see a few reviews on it. I am sure there will be quite a few opinions on it on the web by the end of this coming week.

McKay