Ardbeg BizarreBQ Review
I was lucky enough to be at the Ardbeg distillery in early April around when Ardbeg’s BizarreBQ was first released. I fortunately and unfortunately had too many drams before trying it to really remember it well. After going through their tour, which included 3 complimentary drams, and then a tasting, which included another 5 drams, an encore, final dram was offered. That dram was the BizarreBQ.
I was not excited about trying it at first. A BBQ flavored whisky didn’t resonate with me instantly, but I didn’t want to miss out on a limited release from Ardbeg while I was there and also the opportunity to get a bottle at the distillery. I remembered it being heavy and not very smooth or sweet. I decided it was not my thing and to not get it.
However, I always knew I never really gave it a fair shot. I loved Arbeg’s tour and tasting, but the one thing to know before going in is that they do not let you take drams to go. So you need to drink what they give you there or not accept the dram. For the record, I happily accepted all the drams, but it would be nice if they let you take them to go. That would be especially nice for designated drivers and giving me the chance to understand the beautiful weirdness that is BizarreBQ.
This whisky is a combination of double charred oak, Pedro Ximenez sherry, and BBQ casks. My first question is what exactly a BBQ casks is? The closest thing I found was from a publication called Spirits business, which said:
“The bottling was developed using experimental cask toasting process, with use of double-charred oak casks, Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks and the distillery’s unique barbecue casks that have been extra-charred on an old-fashioned brazier.”
I loved charred oak casks with Ardbeg whisky like the Ardbeg Scorch. The Ardbeg Uigeadail aged in Oloroso sherry is also a favorite of mine. Whether this BBQ cask pairs well with these other casks is the big question.
Luckily, I didn’t have to buy a bottle of this one before trying. I was able to find it at Chicago’s best whisky bar, Delilah’s. With more than 800 whiskies from 15 countries, it’s a great place to have an Islay whisky. I want to do a full write up on everything we got there, but let’s start with one that people are probably really curious about.
It’s creative, exciting, and absolutely weird. It’s Ardbeg.
BizarreBQ on the left. Bowmore Devil’s Cask on the right.
The Basics
Aged: Unknown
Bottles available: Unknown
Casks: Double charred oak, Pedro Ximenez sherry, BBQ
ABV: 50.9%
Color: Amber
Nose: BBQ sauce, pulled pork, wood
Cost: $10-15 for a dram
Purchased at: Delilah’s in Chicago
Taste
The first sip is a sweet BBQ sauce that transitions into a cinnamon spice flavor and then ends with a light peat finish. This is a more sweet than smoky whisky.
I am not sure how they did it, but the BBQ flavor works perfectly as a starting flavor and then its a very familiar sweet spice finish. If you are looking for something peaty, you might be a little disappointed though.
Neat or With Water
I personally preferred this neat. I found adding water diminished the great BBQ flavor and sweet spice flavor. It’s a very sweet whisky at baseline, and the alcohol does not burn while drinking neat.
Summary
Accessibility: Since I didn’t buy a bottle of this one, I have not jumped through as many hoops as I usually do. However, I very frequently see this one available in whisky auctions, and it is available through online stores in the United States. If you want this one, you can definitely find it. If you live in a state that makes it difficult to have alcohol shipped to you, be patient. I am sure you will see this one available in stores in you area.
Price: On the lower end, this one sells for $99, and, on the higher end, I have seen it listed for $500. In whisky auctions, I usually see it go from $140-$216. Somewhere between $100-$200 is probably a good price for this whisky.
Quality: The BizarreBQ is an incredibly unique whisky. It balances savory and sweet flavors with ease, and it really does deliver a true BBQ flavor. I do wish there could be a little bit stronger peaty finish, but the charred oak casks deliver their own smokiness that help make up for it.
If you can’t tell, my opinion has changed drastically since when I had last had this one back in April. It’s sweet and charred in a way that delivers diverse flavors that just work well together in a whisky. As a vegetarian, it makes me miss BBQ even more. Ardbeg went for something different, and they get to say I told you so to the haters like me.
I do not think I’ll get an entire bottle of this though. I am not sure I can commit to that many drams of a BBQ-flavored whisky, but I would definitely get another dram in the future. Given its accessibility, I feel like you will get the chance to try this one and see if it’s your thing. I am glad I gave this one another chance. I’ll still probably happily accept too many drams at Ardbeg in the future though.