This particular bottle of The Sovereign 1992 Ardbeg 21 Year Old was picked out for K&L as an exclusive to their shop a little while ago and even at a whopping $350 this bottle sold out pretty quickly for two reasons. Number one, independent bottling of Ardbeg are on the rare side. Especially if they carry a 20+ age statement. Number two, both The Sovereign and K&L carry a reputation for picking out great whisky.
The Sovereign, like Cadenhead’s and Whisky Broker, is an independent whisky bottler who has access to amazing casks of whisky. They’re definitely one of my top 3 favorite Scotch NDP with Signatory and Cadenhead’s being the other two and SMWS coming in close behind. On straight quality alone I’d also put Samaroli up there, but with how much every bottle they put out costs, they’re not one I look to very often.
The Sovereign 1992 Ardbeg 21 Year Old Info
Region: Isaly, Scotland
Distiller: Ardbeg
Age: 21 years
ABV: 49.6%
Mashbill: 100% Malted barley
Cask: ex-bourbon
Non-Chill Filtered
Natural Color
Cask Strength
Price: $350+
The Sovereign 1992 Ardbeg 21 Year Old Review
EYE
White grape juice
NOSE
Vanilla, malty sweetness, orchard fruit, peat, saline and spice. I’d be a happy man if it stopped right there, but it keeps going with notes of honey, baked goods and an earthy woody undertone. It’s fantastic. I’m seriously loving the nose on this whisky.
PALATE
Citrus taffy, peat, spice, fruit and salt come through nice and warmly. Notes of light and dark sweets like vanilla, caramel, honey, toffee, etc. come and go and are accompanied by notes of smoked meat, roasted nuts, earthy wood and a dark bitter woodiness towards the end.
FINISH
Looong and fruity and peaty and sweet and spicy and woody. It’s a great finish.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Fantastic balance with a rich round body and a viscous warm texture.
OVERALL
Daaaaaymn The Sovereign 1992 Ardbeg 21 Year Old is good. Complex, nuanced and delicate with an overall dark, almost meaty, underpinning. It pairs sweet and savory together very well and I’m loving everything about it. This is one of those bottles of whisky that makes you jealous of the greedy little angles whose job it is to sit around in whisky distilleries sampling the goods all day.
SCORE: 93/100
