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smoky
dark chocolate
caramel
charred
oak
spicy
black pepper
anise
tobacco
Spiral Ardbeg An Oa

Ardbeg
An Oa
Reviews and Tasting Notes

Appearance / Color
Golden honey.

Smell / Nose / Aroma
Smoky, charred applewood, toffee, aniseed, treacle, dates, peach, banana.

Flavor / Taste / Palate
Smooth and creamy, sweetness, chocolate, treacle toffee, aniseed, orange and smoky tea leaves. Gentle, sweet spices (nutmeg & cinnamon), some cigar smoke, grilled artichoke, wood.

Finish
Long and lingering floral and sweet, mint toffee, malty biscuit notes, aniseed, hickory and distant subtle smoke.
Price:
$60.99
Price, Shipping & Taxes may vary by state and will be recalculated at checkout.
Ardbeg An Oa is adored for its smoky, dark chocolate, caramel and charred flavor notes.

This Scotch is carefully distilled at Ardbeg distillery, United Kingdom, Scotland.

Based on 266 votes, the average rating for Ardbeg An Oa is 8.2/10.

Top reviews for Ardbeg An Oa:

— My absolute favorite islay. Just something about it that gets me everytime. In my opinion, definitely a great intro to smoky scotches.

— Favorite Ardbeg so far

— Ardbeg 10 is what I’d imagine my soul tastes like. Maybe not for everyone, but definitely for me.
  • Category
    Scotch
  • Style
    Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  • Region
    Islay
  • Country
    United Kingdom, Scotland
  • Alcohol
    46.6%
  • Distillery
    Ardbeg Distillery
  • Age
    NAS
  • Chill Filtered?
    No
  • Maturation
    A bespoke oak Gathering Vat

Ardbeg An Oa

(0.75l, 46.6%)


8.2/10
Ratings & Reviews
Member Reviews and Ratings of Ardbeg An Oa
Ryder
Ryder,
Complex, smoky and smooth. Lots of iodine, brine and rubber notes
 
Chris
Chris,
Way too peaty and strong
 
guest
guest,
Got some smoke, oak and subtle caramel sweetness on the nose. Taste started with initial smoke, followed by the caramel and a lasting peppery spice. Picked up some licorice and oak as it lingered. Picked up the tobacco flavor with a sip of water
 
Brent
Brent,
My absolute favorite islay. Just something about it that gets me everytime. In my opinion, definitely a great intro to smoky scotches.
 
Zhiwen
Zhiwen,
Best Islay scotch for someone never try peat before I would say. I would definitely buy it again.
 
Randall
Randall,
Love the smoke in this Ardbeg. Smoky, with some bite, but not too much. Nice sipper. One of my favorites.
 
Daniel
Daniel,
Love the mild peat flavor on this with the fruity taste
 
Isaac
Isaac,
Great but too peated for me
 
Gregg
Gregg,
Perfect level of smoke up front. Full bodied mouth feel. Well balanced flavors. Moderate finish that lays you to bed easy.
 
Scott
Scott,
Great whisky. New to Islays, but Ardbeg has such great reviews that it jumped out and this did not disappoint. The smoke is strong up front, but the sweetness comes in quickly and mixes for an amazing spicy sweet finish.
 
Andrea
Andrea,
Absolutely love this, would buy it again. Smoke-heavy in the front with an oak and brine finish.
 
Troy
Troy,
Ardbeg 10 is my favorite scotch because it is light and airy while giving a smoky+peaty taste that is not overwhelming. The AN OA bottle was much the same but it was not quite as smooth.
 
Chris
Chris,
Very much like it. Smokey but sweet and complex with long finish
 
William
William,
Man, you might as well have fired up the grill because the taste is smoky with a kick as it goes down. I happen to like smoky with a hint of sweetness. I love it!
 
Brad
Brad,
I'm not much of a peat guy.
 
Scott
Scott,
Love the smoky flavor... need to sit down with the 10 over a campfire and compare the two.
 
Fred
Fred,
Favorite Ardbeg so far
 
Timothy
Timothy,
Ardbeg 10 is what I’d imagine my soul tastes like. Maybe not for everyone, but definitely for me.
 
John
John,
Great bottle. Too much story though not enough information. Smell is woodsie and bitter. Very strong and aftertaste lingered. Not a fan of this scotch but tested with a buddy and we averaged this out to a 6. Not a fan. Added some water and was smoother but still would l pass on this. My buddy likes it in a sad sort of way.
 
ross
ross,
its a smokey one
 
guest
guest,
Nice And Smokey. Gets better with each sip.
 
Jeremy
Jeremy,
The smoke hits your nose hard at the front, but it is very smooth to drink and enjoyable.
 
David
David,
My favorite Islay whiskey. Ardbeg, what masters you are at your craft. Love the smokiness and peatiness of this. Just opening the bottle and smelling takes you to coastal waters. Smooth and delicious.
 
Andrew
Andrew,
Hoping for a poor man’s Octomore. On that scale it didn’t deliver, but I’d have another dram.
 
Michael
Michael,
Lovely islay scotch Bight sweet notes with a low peat smoke
 
Todd
Todd,
Aroma that makes you want to crawl in the bottle and take a nap, nice and peaty. Taste has the peat, but also some smoke and spice. Not as earthy as the Ardbeg 10 year, but it does have some good flavor going on. A splash of water seems to highlight the spice aroma, while mellowing the taste a little. Happy to drink this on a chilly winter evening
 
Achala
Achala,
Too Smokey/charred
 
Ken
Ken,
I must have a bad bottle as it smell like turpentine and don’t taste much better, poured a glass with ice and couldn’t finish, was given to me as a gift, prolly regift the rest, LOL.
 
Joseph
Joseph,
Intense Smokey flavor and a perfect amount of smoothness
 
guest
guest,
Peaty, rich
 
Tyler
Tyler,
Just the right balance of smoke , peat and sweet. This may be my favorite of the Ardbeg collection to drink neat.
 
William
William,
Very tasty with some peat. Smooth finish.
 
Duane
Duane,
Great dram if you want to introduce someone to peat. Butterscotch and toffee notes are layered throughout. Lighter than the Argbeg 10 which I prefer because I fell in love with peat. I thank Flaviar and Son of a Peat for that.
 
Ron
Ron,
Ardbeg is one of the have to have's in the home bar, well along with many others but this one needs to be front and center. It is smooth and delicious with just the right amount of smoke. Keep them coming Ardbeg.
 
guest
guest,
😳
 
Michael
Michael,
I could just say "it's Ardbeg. You'll love it" and it wouldn't be far off. This is a tame scotch from Ardbeg (no Corryvreckan), but it is smooth, delicious, and still has that smokiness and peatiness that I look for in an Islay scotch. I got it super cheap in a sale in NH, so it was an easy decision all day long. I only knock two stars off because it's not as bold and exciting as some other Ardbegs and Islay scotches. If you're not into those though, you might like this tamer version.
 
Chris
Chris,
Very peaty - almost too peaty
 
Ray
Ray,
Heavy smoky taste
 
Connor
Connor,
My father-in-law loves the stuff, but even he compares it to the bottom of a shoe. If you like peat straight from the decaying swamp, then this is for you. Me, not so much.
 
Mirosław
Mirosław,
As good and strong in taste as Ardbeg should be ;)
 
Zach
Zach,
Very tasty and it all unfolds the more sips you take.
 
Derek
Derek,
Extreme level of pepper and spice. I like this bottle way more than I expected to. Very little peat or smoke. A very unique taste and probably not for everyone.
 
Aimee
Aimee,
Has a very harsh taste and leaves an aftertaste.
 
Justin
Justin,
I''ve tried this side by side with the Ten year and the Uigeadail, here are my thoughts for those looking to pick one: An Oa - As stated on the bottle: smoky, sweet, singularly rounded. I emphasize the singularly rounded because it's very straight forward. It''s not as complex as the 10 or the Uigeadail which makes it more accessible. If you're looking at your first Ardbeg, aren't already a smoke head, or aren't into really complex flavors, then this is the Ardbeg for you. Ten - As stated on the bottle: sea spray, tarry rope, immense smoky intensity. More smoke than An Oa and a bit more complex. I prefer it over the An Oa because I like the extra phenol to balance it out. Consider this the definitive / standard Ardbeg. Uigeadail - Also from the bottle: Deep smoke with raisiny tones from old sherry casks This one is my personal favorite. It's rich and complex, sweet and smoky, but not what I would recommend for those new to the higher end Islay scotch. It's about 10% higher ABV than the others (bottled at 54.2%) and they sherry adds a rich and heavy sweetness which may be over the top in comparison to the light, zesty sweetness of the Ten.
 
Chris
Chris,
Very smooth and smoky
 
Navdeep
Navdeep,
So a dram of this is a little bit of a side step from the peaty-ness and smoke you’d expect from Ardbeg. A refined pour. Very smooth neat. If you want to try a peated scotch, but are afraid and can drop a few extra bucks, this is a wonderful bottle.
 
Shaun
Shaun,
Love this. My go to bottle for any occasion
 
Scott
Scott,
very smokey. need to drink this with a good cigar or pipe. richer oakey flavor
 
Thomas
Thomas,
Smooth.
 
Jeffrey
Jeffrey,
Very peaty and smoky, but subtle and complex as well. It balances out with some spice and sweet and salty finish. It is definitely a step up from the original.
 
Stephen
Stephen,
This is a whisky that needs a few drops of water. In return you will be rewarded with a sweet anise nose within the smoke, and a very well balanced whisky. The water really brings out the tobacco and anise favors. Very interesting whisky but I highly recommend! the water.
 
David
David,
This is my current favorite. Heavy peat and smokey flavor . Ardbeg is the perfect drink when out or relaxing at home. Generally an after meal drink it goes great with a cigar or just breathing in the evening air.
 
Doug
Doug,
Nice dram - a nose of seaweed with the characteristic Ardbeg smoke.
 
Sireesh
Sireesh,
Really solid Ardbeg variant - peaty, of course, but also spicy and complex.
 
Jeremy
Jeremy,
Very good as you would expect, but not as good as the Uigeadail. A little sweeter and less smokey bite.
 
Chris
Chris,
Nice mix of sweet and Smokey, smoke is a little subdued but balanced perfectly.
 
Perry
Perry,
Really like this one. Smokey and caramel
 
Daniel
Daniel,
Perfect peat and great price
 
Zack
Zack,
Pretty much the perfect expression of Ardbeg, in my opinion. Truly outstanding.
 
Jason
Jason,
Very good but more sweet and rounded than the 10 year. I'm sure many prefer this but I like as much smoke and peat as I can get.
 
Piotr
Piotr,
Nice peaty whisky. I don’t like when it is too peaty but this one is perfect for my peaty mood.
 
Alon
Alon,
Very good scotch. Milder than the other Ardbegs I've had. Smoky and salty - full of flavor. You know you're drinking scotch and not brandy or bourbon. Love it.
 
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