Later there is the fresh smell of ham from the butcher’s as well as a hint of iodine which had been hiding in the background. And as if this was not surprise enough, just then from out of nowhere there is this stall on the corner with roasted and caramelised nuts and dried fruit.
We sample a few delicacies; we like the air-dried ham best which the vendor slices up thinly for us. Then we are in the mood for sweets, so we try a few pieces of dried fruit and end up at a special kind of dark chilli chocolate which we sample for the first time: an exciting balance of multi-layered bitter sweetness and a hint of spiciness. Together with the dried fruit this impression remains on our palate for a long time.











Altogether this Ardbeg seems atypical and a bit like a trip to another world – just like Gaudi’s architecture which is a good comparison for this rare malt. Having seen hundreds of perrons, one knows exactly what the steps to Parc Güell are about. High up there is Sala Hippostila from where one can feel the beauty of the Sagrada Família on the horizon. The Passion façade of this most famous church of Barcelona floats – as if mocking its beholders – on its six slanted columns, fragile while stable at the same time. Strong and full, built in a complex structure this Ardbeg from the Old Malt Cask series, is at the same time fragile and delicate in the complexity of its aromas. It had been given 27 years to mature in a cask since 1975 until it was filled in October 2002 at 50% in only 180 bottled destined for the US market. One can notice the influence of a sherry cask that was definitely no first fill, which has brought a harmony to this whisky and managed to tame it in a nice way.

October 23, 2007