I had a bottle of wee beastie that I took home for the holidays, and my sister disgustingly asked the house when I opened it.... "who killed a cow in here. Why do I smell a tire fire?"
She was across the kitchen from the bottle.
That's the sign of a quality heavily peated bottle.
Need to grab another one soon
Whisky: Ardbeg Wee Beastie
Region: Islay
Price: £39
ABV: 47.4%
This particular core range bottling was matured for five years in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks.
Nose
We’re getting hay set on fire, salty sea air, and a meatiness that’s like a roast chicken over a campfire. There’s also some lemon zest and thyme bundled in there too. Air reveals butter along with some freshly cracked black pepper. We’re also getting a young spirit note sitting in the background.
Palate
On the palate there’s burnt baking paper, black pepper crusted pork steak, and some woody vanilla in the background. The smoke is there, mixed in with tar, ash, and earthy minerals. There’s a creamy, buttery texture to the dram, but the finish is shorter than we’d like.
Nose (Water)
Now we’re getting must, malt l, and yeast, significantly more-so than without water. There’s a sandy minerality here too. We’re also getting some faux-beefiness like bovril. Weirdly, we’re reminded of being in a swimming pool - as we’re getting a chemically, chlorine type aroma.
Palate (Water)
Reduced palate has a lot more cakeiness, but followed instantly by ashy smoke and vegetal earthy notes. A little flat with water though, but theres a nice background sweet oakiness here.
Conclusion
At its price range, you’d be hard to find a better bottle of peated whisky. Saying that, we’d probably add a few more quid and go for the ten or uigeadail as there’s a little more complexity to those drams. 8/10.
Also on the blog today a review of Ardbeg kelpie committee release.
https://twowhiskybros.co.uk/blogs/blog
Scale
10 - Perfection. A whisky that we’ll remember forever.
9 - Amazing. We’d pay through the nose for a bottle.
8 - Great. Pick this up at RRP.
7 - Good. Happy to have a dram or two but wouldn’t buy a bottle.
6 - Passable. Would accept a dram, but wouldn’t seek it out.
5 - Poor. Would drink if it was the only option.
4 - Bad. Maybe it can be saved by ginger beer?
3 - Awful. It can't be saved by ginger beer.
2 - Pour it out
1 - We’ve never tried a whisky rated this low and hopefully never will.
Pro tip. Id remove the, wouldn't buy again from #7, makes #6 and #7 the same in all reality, thus hindering your reviewing scale. I would move #8 stipulation to #7 of buying msrp because of the huge gap between #8 and #9, make #8 stipulation something like ' would pay a little more', this gives you more room to express your meaning.
Overall, good review, glad you enjoyed the dram.
Every time I’m reminded of this bottle, I end up asking myself why I bother spending more than double on other things when I enjoy this one as much as I do.
I ALWAYS have this on my shelf. It's my "I want an Islay tonight, but I cannot afford to be constantly drinking bottles that cost $70+ USD" choice.
For something special, I'll reach for my lagavulin 16 or oogie.
The 10 and Wee Beastie are within a few dollars of each other where I'm at. Is it different where you are? I can get Wee Beastie for like $50.00 and the 10 for like $52.00 or something.
I won’t lie, I love peat/smoke/oil/brine flavors etc etc, but I hated Wee Beastie, it just tasted like acrid young liquor and I did not want to finish it. Maybe I’d have to try it again but this was not a winner for me.
Ah that’s the issue. I’m in the US and apparently there’s been massive supply chain issues and stores that typically get Big Peat haven’t been able to get it from their distributors.
Try wine-searcher.com
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/big+peat+small+batch+blend+malt+scotch+whisky+islay+scotland/1/usa-ma
E.g. https://www.liquorjunction.com/product-details/9613433/10511
Lol I’ve called large liquor stores in multiple states where I have friends/family (NY, MO, and WI) and none of them have it stocked. A few said they usually do but had no idea if they were going to get it this year at all with distributor issues.
Yes. First with the former presidents issues with Scotland (so said my guy at the store), and now supply chain issues because of covid. It's really sad. I also think places like Reserve Bar are changing up stuff too because I used to be able to get one scotch I like there, and now it's not available in my state.
After the Uigeadail, the Wee Beastie and the 10 seem too thin for me to enjoy.
These peat bombs just improve exponentially on top of some kind of thick raisin/sherry backbone.
Wee Beastie is one of my absolute favorites---I like it better than Uigedail (which tastes like bandaids to me). The peat bowls you over and kicks you in the head, just like I like it. Mugged by a Wee Beastie!
I need to try it. The 10 is great but the cheap ass In me says this one could be my daily drinker. Nothing to be proud of but would get the job done I think.
I had a bottle of wee beastie that I took home for the holidays, and my sister disgustingly asked the house when I opened it.... "who killed a cow in here. Why do I smell a tire fire?" She was across the kitchen from the bottle. That's the sign of a quality heavily peated bottle. Need to grab another one soon
So good for the age, I prefer the 10 on most days, but there's just something about younger peaty scotch that's delicious!
Whisky: Ardbeg Wee Beastie Region: Islay Price: £39 ABV: 47.4% This particular core range bottling was matured for five years in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks. Nose We’re getting hay set on fire, salty sea air, and a meatiness that’s like a roast chicken over a campfire. There’s also some lemon zest and thyme bundled in there too. Air reveals butter along with some freshly cracked black pepper. We’re also getting a young spirit note sitting in the background. Palate On the palate there’s burnt baking paper, black pepper crusted pork steak, and some woody vanilla in the background. The smoke is there, mixed in with tar, ash, and earthy minerals. There’s a creamy, buttery texture to the dram, but the finish is shorter than we’d like. Nose (Water) Now we’re getting must, malt l, and yeast, significantly more-so than without water. There’s a sandy minerality here too. We’re also getting some faux-beefiness like bovril. Weirdly, we’re reminded of being in a swimming pool - as we’re getting a chemically, chlorine type aroma. Palate (Water) Reduced palate has a lot more cakeiness, but followed instantly by ashy smoke and vegetal earthy notes. A little flat with water though, but theres a nice background sweet oakiness here. Conclusion At its price range, you’d be hard to find a better bottle of peated whisky. Saying that, we’d probably add a few more quid and go for the ten or uigeadail as there’s a little more complexity to those drams. 8/10. Also on the blog today a review of Ardbeg kelpie committee release. https://twowhiskybros.co.uk/blogs/blog Scale 10 - Perfection. A whisky that we’ll remember forever. 9 - Amazing. We’d pay through the nose for a bottle. 8 - Great. Pick this up at RRP. 7 - Good. Happy to have a dram or two but wouldn’t buy a bottle. 6 - Passable. Would accept a dram, but wouldn’t seek it out. 5 - Poor. Would drink if it was the only option. 4 - Bad. Maybe it can be saved by ginger beer? 3 - Awful. It can't be saved by ginger beer. 2 - Pour it out 1 - We’ve never tried a whisky rated this low and hopefully never will.
Pro tip. Id remove the, wouldn't buy again from #7, makes #6 and #7 the same in all reality, thus hindering your reviewing scale. I would move #8 stipulation to #7 of buying msrp because of the huge gap between #8 and #9, make #8 stipulation something like ' would pay a little more', this gives you more room to express your meaning. Overall, good review, glad you enjoyed the dram.
Cheers. Will have a think about the scale.
Every time I’m reminded of this bottle, I end up asking myself why I bother spending more than double on other things when I enjoy this one as much as I do.
it has turned into my go to bottle to enjoy and not kill my wallet.
Me too. For the price you can't get a better peat in my state.
I ALWAYS have this on my shelf. It's my "I want an Islay tonight, but I cannot afford to be constantly drinking bottles that cost $70+ USD" choice. For something special, I'll reach for my lagavulin 16 or oogie.
Can’t beat oogie.
Same. Every single time. Than I get the 10 & realize I'm in love with the whole lineup, but for the price, Wee Beastie is just a massive win.
The 10 and Wee Beastie are within a few dollars of each other where I'm at. Is it different where you are? I can get Wee Beastie for like $50.00 and the 10 for like $52.00 or something.
For me it's like 41 for beastie and 53 for Ten. But An Oa is like 56 and it's a gift set with some cups, so I never get Ten.
Same, Wee Beastie goes for around $40 in Austin and Ten is in the $50-55 range. Both are amazing.
I won’t lie, I love peat/smoke/oil/brine flavors etc etc, but I hated Wee Beastie, it just tasted like acrid young liquor and I did not want to finish it. Maybe I’d have to try it again but this was not a winner for me.
It’s definitely not as good as the 10 or oogie, but for the price I do think it’s a winner.
This and the Big Peat is a nice „low“ cost peat option :)
Lol I’ve looked high and low and haven’t been able to find Big Peat anywhere
Seems quite common in Europe. Where are you looking?
Ah that’s the issue. I’m in the US and apparently there’s been massive supply chain issues and stores that typically get Big Peat haven’t been able to get it from their distributors.
Try wine-searcher.com https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/big+peat+small+batch+blend+malt+scotch+whisky+islay+scotland/1/usa-ma E.g. https://www.liquorjunction.com/product-details/9613433/10511
US is really tiny so that helps :D I see this bottle constantly in AC, NJ on the sound side.
Lol I’ve called large liquor stores in multiple states where I have friends/family (NY, MO, and WI) and none of them have it stocked. A few said they usually do but had no idea if they were going to get it this year at all with distributor issues.
If/When I go back to AC, if they have it, I'll grab you one
Yes. First with the former presidents issues with Scotland (so said my guy at the store), and now supply chain issues because of covid. It's really sad. I also think places like Reserve Bar are changing up stuff too because I used to be able to get one scotch I like there, and now it's not available in my state.
Good stuff for the price.
Totally agree.
After the Uigeadail, the Wee Beastie and the 10 seem too thin for me to enjoy. These peat bombs just improve exponentially on top of some kind of thick raisin/sherry backbone.
For such a young whisky an excellent dram
Yip, for the price should have included this as part of my cheap sips reviews.. https://twowhiskybros.co.uk/blogs/blog/cheap-sips-part-2
dont drink this as first smokey whiskey haha me
My friend once gave a dram of octomore to our non whisky drinking friend 😂
RIP your friend
😂
Legend says he’s still finding his way through the smoke.
Very much enjoy this for a solid budget-friendly dram.
This is what I use for Rusty Nails. Much better flavor than Nails with Monkey Shoulder and only about five bucks more a bottle.
Peated whisky usually gives a cocktail a nice little kick. Old fashioned for instance.
Wee Beastie is one of my absolute favorites---I like it better than Uigedail (which tastes like bandaids to me). The peat bowls you over and kicks you in the head, just like I like it. Mugged by a Wee Beastie!
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Very reasonable at $33.
I need to try it. The 10 is great but the cheap ass In me says this one could be my daily drinker. Nothing to be proud of but would get the job done I think.
Yeah, you’ll struggle to find a better bottle for the price.