Ardbeg BizzareBq

Score: 73

Ardbeg BizarreBQ isn’t just a clever name, it’s a full sensory cookout in a glass. This dram took the club by surprise, layering classic Islay peat with a wild medley of barbecue-inspired flavours that somehow worked… brilliantly. On the nose, it’s unmistakably Ardbeg: rich peat, dense smoke, and that familiar earthy swagger. But then the twist hits, sweet caramel, vanilla, and charred oak roll in like smoke off a grill. The palate opens with the expected peat and smoke, but quickly evolves into something far more playful and layered. Pepper and smoked meat notes emerge, evoking peppercorn-seasoned steak or homemade beef jerky, bold, savoury, and oddly nostalgic. Just when you think it’s done, light fruits and citrus sneak in on the finish, adding brightness to the smoky depth. It’s a very interesting dram, and well worth it, especially when stacked against other Ardbeg releases. BizarreBQ doesn’t aim for elegance; it aims for flavour chaos, and it delivers. A backyard brawl of a whisky that somehow lands every punch.