Ardbeg Very Young 1998/2004 Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky 58,3%

Just 6 years old and already named for exactly what it is, a whisky that makes no secret of its youth.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Very Young 1998/2004 is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky distilled in 1998, bottled in 2004 after 6 years of maturation, non-chill filtered at 58.3%.

Very Young was part of the same vintage series as Still Young and Renaissance, where Ardbeg tracked its own whisky through the maturation process after the 1997 reopening, letting the name of each release reflect how far the whisky had come.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Raw, direct peat with a sharp, youthful intensity and a hint of fresh citrus.

Palate

Powerful smoke and a marked phenolic edge, uncompromising and direct in style.

Finish

Long and dry, with a lasting smoky sharpness underlining the whisky's young origins.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Very Young
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 6 years
ABV: 58.3%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Distilled: 1998
Bottled: 2004
Edition: Very Young
EAN no.: 5010494222265

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Young and raw · Cask strength-led · Citrus-fresh

Investment Potential

Medium. As the youngest release in Ardbeg's vintage series from the reopening years, at high cask strength and long sold out, Very Young appeals to collectors wanting the full line-up from Very Young through Still Young to Renaissance.

Did You Know?

Very Young, Still Young and Renaissance together form a unique series where Ardbeg let the names tell the story of how the whisky evolved from young and raw to fully mature, year by year.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ardbeg Very Young 1998/2004

What does the name Very Young mean?

It refers to the whisky's young age of just 6 years and was part of a series where the names told how far Ardbeg had come in its maturation process after the reopening.

How does Very Young connect to Still Young and Renaissance?

The three releases followed the same whisky through different stages of maturation, from Very Young as the youngest to Renaissance as the fully mature culmination.

Is Ardbeg Very Young worth it?

As the youngest and rarest part of a historically important vintage series, it's attractive to the collector who wants the full line-up represented.

How powerful is Ardbeg Very Young?

It's bottled at 58.3% without chill filtration, making it one of the most powerful bottles in this line-up.

Should it be drunk neat or with water?

Try it neat first to experience the full youthful intensity, and add a drop of water if the strength feels too high.

Which glass suits it best?

A tulip-shaped whisky glass handles the high strength well and lets the raw peat unfold gradually.

Why was Ardbeg reopened in 1997?

The distillery had gone through an uncertain period with several changes of ownership until The Glenmorangie Company took it over in 1997 and restarted production.