Ardbeg 17 Year Single Malt Scotch Review [In Depth]

Ardbeg 17 Year Single Malt Scotch

by: ALEX WANG
Founder, writer

Ardbeg 17 Year Single Malt Scotch Details

Distillery: Ardbeg

Type & Region: Scotch, Scotland

Alcohol: 40%

Composition: 100% malted barley

Aged: 17 years

Color: 0.6/2.0 on the color scale (old gold)

Price: $190

From the company website:

When Glenmorangie reopened Ardbeg in 1997 after years of turbulence and two closure periods, some of the youngest stock available was from the early 1980s. This led to the release of Ardbeg 17 Years Old. The whisky became the flagship for the brand, while the team began optimising the Distillery’s stock profile for the future. The whisky’s flavor profile was unusually delicate for an Ardbeg, as it included a proportion of unpeated stock. It was chill-filtered and bottled at 40% to complement its elegance. Ardbeg 17 Years Old was bottled from 1997-2004 before being retired.

Ardbeg 17 Year Single Malt Scotch overview

I had no idea that Ardbeg was closed from the early 1980’s to 1997, but I know that that time was very tough for many whiskey producers worldwide. Bourbon sales were suffering all over the world as demand for some reason shifted to clear spirits such as vodka. That’s also why Japan got all the good whiskey – because they still loved it and would pay for it. I digress.

When the distillery re-opened in 1997, they had not distilled anything for nearly 2 decades, so their youngest whiskey was 17ish years old. That became their main release in 1997. Fun fact, it was sold for 30 British pounds back in 1997, which is about $87 today adjusted for inflation. This new release of Ardbeg 17 Year costs $190, more than double the inflation adjusted price from 1997. There are a lot of reasons for that, but it’s interesting and slightly sad context.

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So while Ardbeg is known for its peat, Ardbeg 17 Year changes it up to some degree and blends peated and unpeated whiskey. For what it’s worth, the color is very light for a 17 year old Scotch.

Let’s find out if this single malt is triumphant in its return in this Ardbeg 17 Year Scotch review.

This sample was provided at no cost to me. All opinions are still my own.

As an FYI, I bought and use these Glencairn glasses for everything (they’re the best): Glencairn Crystal Whiskey Glass Set of 6, Set of 4, Set of 2, or just one. Full transparency, this is an affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.

Ardbeg 17 Year Single Malt Scotch smell

I smell mushroomy honey sweetness, faint pineapple fruitiness, seaweed, mesquite (think barbeque), salt, starfruit, grapefruit peel, and faint toasted oak, toasted grain, and vanilla As many peat-related scents I get, this isn’t a super peaty Scotch. The peat just adds a multifaceted savoriness and earthiness that I really like…but I’m also a peathead.

But oof, Ardbeg 17 Year Committee Expression is very light…probably too light for me and a lot of people who have the experience and money to buy this. It’s not completely devoid of good fragrance, but the body, richness, and character are very dulled-down because of it.

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Here’s the thing, I’ve had 40% ABV spirits that have solid character. Sure, I often think that they’re still too light for my liking, but this scotch is even lighter than that.

With swirling, I smell smoky and savory honey, dried mushrooms, floral pineapple, salt, seaweed, mesquite, starfruit, and a little toasted malt and lemon. This smells predominately bourbon matured given tropical fruits and lack of dark fruits.

Still, this is this is too damn light and soft for me. And again, I paid $180 for a 20+ year old Ten to One Rum that was 43% ABV. And holy cow it was explosively expressive, rich, deep, and captivating. Ardbeg 17 Year Committee Expression isn’t that at all.

The ABV, and potentially the barrel selection, rob this of character and “expensiveness”.

Ardbeg 17 Year Single Malt Scotch taste and aftertaste

The flavors start with mushroomy honey, grapefruit peel, vanilla, toasted oak, salt, mesquite, meaty sausage, and some toasted malt and pineapple. While I consider this a peat-forward Scotch, the flavors are still light enough that it’s not actually a strong peatiness. It’s just the most prominent set of flavors, followed by sweetness, fruitiness, more savoriness, and toastiness.

That said, the flavors have a little more roundness than the scents do (very low bar), but it’s still way too soft and gentle to be that interesting. Come on team, you could have gone to 45 or 47%…come on!!!! Let me repeat that again…it’s too damn gentle and soft.

With “chewing”, I get mushroomy honey, starfruit, mesquite, sausage, salt, toasted malt, vanilla, and something faintly floral and fruity. “Chewing” amps it up a little bit and brings out a little more roundness and fruitiness, but it still remains squarely in “too damn light” territory.

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The finish leaves smoky honey, salt, mesquite, sausage, and a little toasted malt and pineapple. The finish is very savory, which I like. Honestly, the finish might be the most pleasant part of drinking this.

The flavors are fine, but I don’t enjoy this. It’s not bad, flawed, or unpleasant, it just doesn’t have enough of anything for me to really enjoy it.

It’s too damn gentle.

I’ve unfortunately lost some Glencairn’s while in transit, and that made me very sad. So, I wised up and bought this Glencairn Travel Case that comes also comes with 2 glasses so I don’t need to worry so much about them breaking. I think it’s great, and I think you’ll love it too. Seriously, if you already have glasses, protect them.

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Ardbeg 17 Year Single Malt Scotch Rating

Ardbeg 17 Year Commitee Expression is too light, too straightforward, too gentle, and too expensive. What were they thinking…besides wanting to make as much money as possible? I’m disappointed and infuriated with this release.

Don’t waste your money…it’s a hard pass for me.

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Meet the Author: Alex

I have far too much fun writing about whiskey and singlehandedly running The Whiskey Shelf to bring you independent, honest, and useful reviews, comparisons, and more. I’m proudly Asian American and can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and some Japanese.

There are no sponsors, no media companies, and no nonsense. Support The Whiskey Shelf by Buying Me A Shot.

Shattered glass really sucks, so if you’re on the move, this Glencairn-like stainless steel snifter glass should survive your travels. Full transparency, this is an Amazon affiliate link, so I may earn a commission if you buy this or something else from Amazon.

BrüMate NOS’R, Double-Wall Stainless Steel Whiskey Nosing Glass – 7oz (Matte Black)