Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70cl

Ardbeg Wee Beastie may be the youngest permanent expression in the distillery's line-up, but don't let the name fool you — this 5 Year Old Islay single malt bites hard. Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry casks, it delivers all the ferocious, smouldering peat character Ardbeg is famous for, wrapped around a surprisingly rich, fruity core.

On the nose, expect sea spray, damp bonfire wood and smoked malt, with waves of sweet, faintly vegetal smoke rolling through. The palate is a study in contrasts: sweet and salty at once, with citrus oils and orchard fruit meeting a tart hit of dark berries, all wrapped in damp peat and dry wood smoke. The finish is exceptionally long and oily, like sucking a lemon sherbet while inhaling freshly cut peat.

Distilled on the rugged south coast of Islay, Ardbeg has built its cult reputation on producing some of the smokiest, most intensely peated whisky in Scotland. Wee Beastie proves that youth and intensity go hand in hand — a full-throttle, uncompromising dram for peat lovers who like their whisky untamed.