The Ardbeg Committee version of Dark Cove is bottled at 55% ABV, compared to 46.5% ABV for the version available to the general public.

The nose is smoky and earthy with notes of garden soil, a hint of mushrooms, orange peel, dark chocolate, hints of driftwood smoke, and berry cobbler. The taste is thick, tart, fruity, and smoky with grilled pineapple, ginger root, black pepper, touches of raisins and plums, and hints of tar and creosote along with the peat smoke in the background. The finish is long, spicy, and smoky with touches of peat, fresh tar, cocoa beans, a slight tartness, and a hint of caramel candy. Excellent!

Addendum: The 46.5 ABV version is just like the Committee version…just as powerful and pungent with little difference to the Committee version! (April, 2016)