Creamy, sweetish, softly smoky, yellow overripe pears, sultanas, dried apricots, some malty notes, vanilla, smoked bacon, sweet orange zest, gentle woody tones on the background. Water opens up sweet caramelly notes and amplifies wood.

Slightly sweet and quite punchy with peppery spicy side, oily, smoky (or rather ashy), creamy with milk chocolate motives, pear jam, some vanilla cake with citrus filling, peachy notes, caramelized lemon zest.

Long, spicy, sooty, apple mash, vanilla custard, ending with soft oak.

A very good dram as for 5 yo expression. Noticeably young but without inherent to young whiskies disadvantages. Very well balanced and very mild on smoke, especially on the nose - creamy and fruity, almost floral. An excellent introduction to the older Ardbeg releases.