Ardbeg Blasda
Mens vi venter på festival legger vi ut litt etterlengtet informasjon om Ardbeg Blasda.
03.11.2008
Tekst:
onlymalts.com
Foto:
Moët Hennessy
Ardbeg har en veldig god vane med å sende ut omfattende pressemeldinger når de kommer med noe nytt (hørte dere det, dere andre destillerier??!). Blasda har vært i hyllene i noen uker allerede. Her er pressemeldingen i sin helhet. Enjoy!
Introducing Blasda - Lightly peaty 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."
The launch will be supported by e-mailing details to The Ardbeg Committee, a web page feature, as well as in-country sampling and ambassador endorsement.
Bottled at 40% ABV.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Sweet, fragrant and refreshing, Blasda takes you to a calm day on the shores of Islay.
Colour
Light gold
Aroma
Deliciously sweet and refreshing. On first nosing, the aroma is reminiscent of baked banoffie pie and roast
chestnuts. On further nosing, cloves, pine cones and fresh mint rise from the glass, softened by creamy vanilla custard. A tingle of lemon and lime marmalade cuts through the vanilla with spiced pears followed by a breath of menthol and sea salt. Deep ripe fruits fuse with almond and vanilla. With water, the sweet effervescence of sherbet vanilla and chocolate limes burst from the liquid. A bouquet of scented violet, narcissus and chrysanthemum bring a sparkling ethereal fragrance. Cured ham with a dusting of white pepper and cinnamon is served with gentle smoked fish and green peppers, with a sprig of Ieafy mint on top.
Taste
Refreshing, silky and creamy to the palate, the initial sip is sweet with a mixture of sugared almonds, marzipan and hints of dried fruits. Gentle peat oils well up on the palate, remaining soft, clean and dry with a dusting of powdery Parma violets. Tangy lemon juice and orange rind freshen the palate with a gentle fizz Later tingling spices and creamy cappuccino bring a gentle warmth.
Finish
The finish is medium in length and tingly with a refreshing balance of chrysanthemum tea, clean lemon zest, creamy vanilla and hints of cinnamon spiced apple.
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