84
Score
Ardbeg Auriverdes, 49.9%
Price: $100 ● Issue: Summer 2014 ● Reviewer: Dave Broom
This year's Ardbeg Day bottling is named in tribute to World Cup host Brazil's national colors: Auri (Gold) and Verdes (Green). Very restrained to start: grassy, sweet with vanilla pod, shoreline, and smoke wrapped in a woolen blanket. The palate shows more smoke, light chocolate, Ardbeg oiliness, and soot. It's fresh and charming, but ultimately is a quarterfinalist beaten on penalties.