G&M Ardbeg Connoisseurs Choice/Sestabnte 1964,74,75

[lincoln imp]

Ardbeg G&M Connoisseurs Choice x 3 and the Sestante Crest Label which is basically a CC with a fancy label and a fancy price match.

H2H tasted in this order:-

Ardbeg 1964/1995 40% Old Map Label
Ardbbeg 1974 18 year 40% Sestante Import Crest Label
Ardbeg 1975 /1997 40% New Map Label
Ardbbeg 1979/2005 43% New Map Label

I thought I would try these lower strength Ardbeg together, the clear winner on nose & taste was the 1964 that was heavily sherried and unlike any other Ardbeg I have tried.
2nd was the 1979 on the strength of it being quite fresh and I am assuming the extra 3% abv helped.
3rd was the 1975 which was ok but not great
4th was the Sestante that was ok but uninspiring.

Ardbeg 1964 CC
Nose
Hints of burnt coal, burnt wood, ash, raspberry, blackberry, heavy sherry, dark, thick cut orange marmalade, brown bread waffles.
Palate
Bags of dark fruit at first, cake mix, brown toast, peat but it is of the dirty burnt variety not the crisp peat of the likes of Port Ellen?
The sherry mixes with the peat beautifully , there is a slight woody note but that adds to the overall enjoyment, the only downside is the fact that it is quite dry.
Finish
Dry with a little ginger spice but fades quite quickly.

I suppose you would describe this as a grUmbly old sherrried Ardbeg.
The nose is unlike any other Ardbeg and the balance is top notch, only the finish lets it down but overall very good.

Ardbeg 1974 18 year Sestante

Nose
Faint peat, ash, hints of lemon, ginger cake, slight menthol & coal tar soap, this is better after a little time in the glass and the air has got to it.
Palate
Lots of white pepper and spices, peat and some other spices but it never takes off to be honest
Finish
Remaining spicy and fades but there is a slight earthy taste that lingers.

Never did a tasting note before for this, unfortunately this one never lifts off and tastes a little mundane?
Perfectly acceptable but far from outstanding

Ardbeg 1975 CC

Nose
Peat, Ash, white pepper, apple sponge cake, oat flapjacks.
Palate
Big blast of fizzy peat with some spice but also a little bitterness and then it gets creamy with some fruit like mango and apple compote that elevates the whole experience
Finish
There is a metallic aftertaste to this one but it does not linger and the fruit wins through in the end

Quite good in one respect but quite dull in others, needs another ingredient to get it near 90 points

Tasting notes as follows:-


Ardbeg 1979 CC 43%

The nose is quite lively on this one, smells slightly minty mixed with pine needles, lime juice and dry oats, quite a big cereal note on this one, unusual but I quite like it.
Palate
Quite full on the palate and the peat is strong & dry but where is the fruit?
Ah there it is in amongst the peat, pepper & ash is a little lime and some bitter grapefruit but it is in the background.
Nothing stands out here but the balance is good certainly.
Nose
This remains peaty, peppery and distant fruits on the finish.

This took a little time to develop but stick with it and you will be rewarded.
_________________
Pour me a glass please.