This hotly anticipated official release of Ardbeg Alligator is aged in a similar style to the standard 10 year old, except for the fact that a portion of the whisky was aged in heavily charred barrels. The barrels are charred to such an extent that they start to crack a little on the inside, and this resembles alligator skin, thus the name. Nose: Stunning aromas of charcoal, mulled wine and lemon icing sugar. Very creamy, with notes of vanilla and yoghurt, with a huge BBQ note. Some gingerbread and tangy apricots as well as burning brown sugar. Palate: Creamy and zesty, with a huge whack of grapefruit and lemon, as well as BBQ sauce, ginger and orange zest. Like a really toasty rye whiskey in parts, with hints of icing sugar, cocoa, gingernut biscuits and intense smoke. Finish: Sweet and creamy with peppery, crackling peat smouldering away for hours.