Ardbeg Alligator

[Father Bill]

I'll watch for it here. Odd name though - sounds like they're trying to market to outlanders. That disappoints me a wee bit - the traditionalist in me, you know

[chewse]

For the last couple of months I've been looking for a bottle of the Alligator. I had a chance to taste a small glass of the Alligator at Trinity Hall in Dallas during an Ardbeg Scotch tasting night a week or so back. I love it!

Well...the owner of my favorite liquor store knew I was looking for a bottle and he found me one! He said, according to the distributor, it was the last Alligator bottle allocated to the States (only 300 bottles made it to the States).

Across the front label, it says "FOR DISCUSSION."

Here are the tasting notes:

COLOUR: Mahogany
LONG NOSE: The warning comes in smoked root ginger and barbecue sauce, while chocolate, cumin and warm oak shavings lie in wait.
BIG TASTE: Rearing up hot and spicy, smoked and charred with a leathery and sooty mouthfeel. Smoky pak choi and barbecue bite, while chocolate and black bean sauce roll around and around.
FINISH YOU OFF: Slow and long with mocha espresso and ginger, while cigar smoke ebbs away.

Now, can I hold out for a special occasion before breaking open the bottle...

[TexasPete]

We finally found a bottle of the Alligator. It's really good.

I expected it to be a huge whisky, bold and explosive, but it wasn't. It was refined and simple. The nose was a touch smoky, with hints of toffee. The taste is smooth with no immediate smoke, but quite hot. It's maybe a minute or two after that the smoke flavor shows up.

If you're looking for an Ardbeg that's more refined, then this is a good choice for you. If you're wanting an off-the-rails one, check out the Corryvreckan.