Ardbeg 1978-2000, Gordon & Macphail, Meregalli import, 40% abv.

Another famous Italian Scotch importer. Seems like Giuseppe Meregalli became the official Italian import agent for Gordon & MacPhail during the 1980s... I believe taking the unofficial reigns from Sestante... or sharing it. It is interesting that the Italian Scotch importers seem to have faded while the German importers are rising.

Nose: salty, bandaids, hints of smoke in the back. Very nice.

Palate:  the main palate is sweet and salty, the salty notes tend to disappear and the fruitiness pops out, fresh cherries, green grapes, apples, there is smoke and burnt bacon in the back of the midpalate and it comes to the fore on the back palate.

Finish: short, warm fruit pie.

I thought this was an amazing Ardbeg! A body of fruits and salt. Bartender said he kept this bottle very well, saying that many vintage bottles are different because of storage conditions.

Grade: A

Whiskyfun.com, Serge, 80 points
Malt maniacs, 83 points on 4 reviews