Islay heaven - Ardbeg Uigeadail vs Laphroaig Cask Strength
 

Ok, have to first that I have become a huge fan of Laphroaig. Love the 10 yr, even better is the Quarter Cask and also the 18 yr. Absolutely my favorite Scotches; with a great savory-ness to it brought out by a long swirl and a slow swallow. I also appreciate Lagavulin 16, though in a different way than the Laphroaig, lacking the buttery savoryness but making up for it with a complex sophisticated smoothness.

I was initially very unimpressed by Ardbeg 10yr, although it has been slowly warming on me. Given some time and repeated attempts (usually because I've run out of Laphroaig so I've resorted to the Ardbeg), I have recently come to detect the savoryness I love about the Laphroaig in the Ardbeg 10yr (savoryness that I see missing in the Lagavulin).

This site got me interested to try Ardbeg's Uigeadail. Holy shit!!!!!!!!!

It's completely reversed from what I'm used to with Islay Scotch. Usually the nose is smoky and the finish (after much tongue rolling) is savory. With the Uigeadail the nose and palate is savory, while the finish is smoky!!! Dragon's breath baby!!!!

Wow!!!! Anyone else get this?

Also, havent tried the Laphroaig Cask Strength yet. Really diggin the Uigeadail at 55.4% alcohol. Any opinions on how the two compare?

At the moment, the Uigeadail is sitting as my favorite. Thoughts?

Ah... Laph CS v. Uigeadail. Good lineup. I have run out of Laph CS, but I still have some of the Ardbeg left. Both are very good.

I really like the sherry notes in the Ardbeg Uigeadail. I will have to look up my tasting notes on the CS to see what I said about it.

I haven't personally tried Laphroaig CS, but have bought many many bottles of single cask Lapohroaig from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, as it is probably the most consistently fantastic distillery for single cask malts.
Personally I find Laphroaig's to be little more complex, and less savoury than Ardbeg, although I love them both.

I like them all!!
But I tend to prefer Laphroaig over Ardbeg because to me, Ardbeg is slightly sweeter, more "rich" than Laphroaig. I can only have two fingers of the stuff and thats all.
Laphroaig goes down easy. Its my "everyday dram".