Here is a review of a whisky that I have already reviewed, albeit five years ago. I don’t mean just that it’s another Ardbeg Corryvreckan review: it’s a review of a bottle released in the same year as that previous bottle: 2011. The Corryvreckan was then just a couple of years old. I had loved my first taste of it in 2009 or 2010 or whenever it was and I quite liked the 2011 release when I first reviewed it in 2020. I’m curious to see what I’ll make of it now (I’m not re-reading my previous notes until I get done with my notes on this one). I’m also curious about the status of current Corryvreckan. It’s still part of Ardbeg’s core lineup, along with other mainstays, the 10 yo and the Uigeadail—and also the newer An Oa and Wee Beastie—but I don’t think I’ve had any Corryvreckan released in the last decade. Those of you who have: do you find it to be still more or less as it was? The makeup seems to be the same, with ex-bourbon and ex-French oak casks in the vatting. Do let me know your thoughts on more recent releases. Okay, let’s get to this one.

Ardbeg Corryvreckan, 2011 Release (57.1%; from my own bottle)

Nose: A big phenolic blast with some lemon and vanilla mixed in. No wine notes at all. Saltier as it sits but there’s also some notes of brown butter and cream; the smoke picks up some tar. With a few drops of water there’s damp, charred cloth at first; then the salt expands quite dramatically; more lemon too now.

Palate: Big phenols here too and quite a bit of charred toast. A lot of lemon and salt as well. Very approachable despite the strength; rich texture. Continues in this vein. Sweeter with water and then there’s more char.

As promised by the nose except not as sweet off the top. Very approachable at full strength with a nice, oily texture. On the second sip there’s a bit of a mezcal note (sign of youthful components) but it works here. With more time the smoke gets more tarry. Not much more change with time. With water it’s first sweeter and then there’s a big burst of peppery char.

Finish: Long; very long. Phenolic smoke, salt, pepper. Some vanilla at the very end. More char (and some tar) with water.

Comments: Lovely whisky. My (briefer) notes are not identical to those in my review of my previous bottle—but that review came from the middle of the bottle, whereas this one is from the top. I’ll track changes, if any. And maybe I’ll get a current release when this is done in the hope that it might be as good.

Rating: 89 points.