Ardbeg 13 Year Old Anthology The Harpy’s Tale Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The Harpy’s Tale is the first edition in Ardbeg’s Anthology Series. This 13-year-old whisky was matured in ex-Sauternes and ex-bourbon casks and has the distillery’s distinctive oily texture, with aromas of olive, smoked sage, carbolic soap and burnt cream on the nose, alongside sweet peat, dried apricots and eucalyptus oil on the palate.

Nose: Very distinctively oily, with touches of extra virgin olive oil, sweet briar wood, aromatic herbs (coriander & sage) and a suggestion of smoked lemon peel. A splash of water releases more oiliness, like linseed oil, a gentle waxiness, and a burst of perfumed, aromatic carbolic soap, and finally, a whiff of crème brulee.

Palate: A soft, oily, mouthcoating texture leads into a rich, sweet, smoky palate, with hints of oak moss, treacle, aniseed lozenges and a lovely, sweet, woody/balsamic flavour. This is then followed by smoked apricots and eucalyptus oil.

Finish: Finally comes a lingering, sweet/smoky aftertaste, with a touch of cumin, cardamon and the merest hint of coconut.