Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch Whisky hails from the rugged shores of Islay, carrying with it the island's character and raw maritime essence. Celebrated for its peaty intensity and smoky undertones, Ardbeg's expressions offer a journey through layers of complexity, from seaweed and tar to hints of vanilla and citrus. Matured in the bracing sea air, each bottle of Ardbeg is a bold and unmistakable testament to Islay's rich whisky-making heritage.
The Ardbeg Distillery, while renowned for its distinguished spirits, is also famed for its location. Recognised by both the rugged locals and the more delicately attired visitors, the distillery often endures gusty winds, relentless rain, and ghostly mists. However, its potential onslaught by nature's fierce moods is mitigated by the protective embrace of the Mull of Oa.
Serving as a natural barrier, the Mull of Oa stands tall, sheltering the distillery from the Atlantic's formidable wrath. It is this geographical marvel that inspires the creation of Ardbeg An Oa.
Mirroring the roundness of its geographical muse, Ardbeg An Oa's character is noticeably rounded and mellow. This unique character is shaped by its time in the distillery's innovative Gathering Vat. Here, a blend of diverse whiskies from varied cask types - ranging from the sweetness of Pedro Ximenez and the spiciness of Virgin charred oak to the depth of ex-bourbon casks - come together. As they meld, they produce a whisky that's a harmonious blend of Ardbeg's signature peat, dark chocolate, and aniseed, cushioned in velvety butterscotch, black pepper, and clove. The resulting experience is a powerful, evolving symphony of flavors.
In its essence:
Non chill-filtered
Matured in a combination of Pedro Ximenez, Virgin charred oak, and Ex-bourbon casks
NAS (Non Aged Statement)
46.6% ABV
Appearing as a delicate shade of Light Gold
Ardbeg An Oa isn't just a spirit; it's a tribute to nature's protective might and the artistry of whisky-making.
Tasting Note by Ardbeg:Nose: Peat infused with zesty lemon and lime, wrapped in waxy dark chocolate. Bold menthol and black pepper slice through the sweet smoke followed by tarry ropes and graphite. Savour the aroma of smoked fish and crispy bacon alongside green bell peppers, baked pineapple and pear juice. Add water and an oceanic minerality brings a breath of cool, briny seaspray. Waxed lemon and lime follows with coal tar soap, beeswax and herby pine woodlands. Toasted vanilla and sizzling cinnamon simmer with warm hazelnut and almond toffee.Palate: An explosion of crackling peat sets off millions of flavour explosions: peat effervesces with tangy lemon and lime juice, black pepper pops with sizzling cinnamon-spiced toffee. Then comes a wave of brine infused with smooth buttermilk, ripe bananas and currants. Smoke gradually wells up on the palate bringing a mouthful of warm creamy cappuccino and toasted marshmallows. As the taste lengthens and deepens, dry espresso, liquorice root and tarry smoke develop coating the palate with chewy peat oils.Finish: Long and smoky with tarry espresso, aniseed, toasted almonds and traces of soft barley and fresh pear.
Ardbeg Ten Years Old stands unparalleled, globally celebrated as the quintessence of peated whiskies. Renowned for its intense smokiness and rich complexity, this single malt doesn't merely parade its peaty essence. Instead, it artfully allows the innate sweetness of the malt to emerge, striking a harmonious balance that enchants the palate.
Maintaining its true essence, this whisky is non-chill filtered, preserving its authentic flavors and depth. Matured in ex-bourbon casks, it carries hints of the cask's history, adding another layer of complexity and character to this already distinguished spirit.
Tasting Note by Ardbeg:Nose: A burst of intense smoky fruit escapes into the atmosphere of peat infused with zesty lemon and lime, wrapped in waxy dark chocolate. Bold menthol and black pepper slice through the sweet smoke followed by tarry ropes and graphite. Savour the aroma of smoked fish and crispy bacon alongside green bell peppers, baked pineapple and pear juice. Add water and an oceanic minerality brings a breath of cool, briny seaspray. Waxed lemon and lime follows with coal tar soap, beeswax and herby pine woodlands. Toasted vanilla and sizzling cinnamon simmer with warm hazelnut and almond toffee.Palate: An explosion of crackling peat sets off millions of flavour explosions: peat effervesces with tangy lemon and lime juice, black pepper pops with sizzling cinnamon-spiced toffee. Then comes a wave of brine infused with smooth buttermilk, ripe bananas and currants. Smoke gradually wells up on the palate bringing a mouthful of warm creamy cappuccino and toasted marshmallows. As the taste lengthens and deepens, dry espresso, liquorice root and tarry smoke develop coating the palate with chewy peat oils.Finish: The finish goes on and on a long and smoky with tarry espresso, aniseed, toasted almonds and traces of soft barley and fresh pear.
Uigeadail, a name that evokes imagery of an enigmatic, shadowed space, is derived from the Gaelic words signifying "a dark, mysterious place." It pays homage to the distillery's very life source, its water.
Drawing from the peat-rich waters of Loch Uigeadail, this whisky is an enchanting blend of sweetness, spice, and profound smokiness. The loch's water bestows upon the whisky its distinctive smoky overtones, setting the stage for a tantalizing dance of flavors. Aging in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks adds layers of warmth and richness, making it an ideal companion for tempestuous, storm-filled nights.
However, the true allure of Ardbeg Uigeadail lies in its specialized vatting technique. This method masterfully intertwines the smoky depths from ex-bourbon American oak casks with the sweet, full-bodied charm of ex-sherry Oloroso casks. It's this harmonious union that crafts a whisky of unparalleled depth and character.
In Essence:
Non-chill filtered
Matured in a blend of Oloroso sherry and Ex-bourbon casks
NAS (Non Aged Statement)
Commanding an ABV of 54.2%
Cloaked in a radiant shade of Deepest Gold
Ardbeg Uigeadail is not merely a whisky; it's an invitation to explore the depths and mysteries of flavor.
Tasting Note by Ardbeg:Nose: Heady, intense and powerful. Swirl the glass and dip your nose into the torrents of tarry ropes, creosote and linseed oil rising from deep within the vortex. A collision of waxy dark chocolate, warm blackcurrants and muscovado sugar pulls you under its spell with a burst of plump cherries and earthy pine needles leaping from its depths. From salty seasoning comes a briny character with tangy crisp seaweed and smoky bacon swirling on the surface with hints of sweet vanilla, spicy cloves and blueberries. Surrender to its dangerous depths with the heady force of menthol, treacle and chilli sauce.Palate: Plunge into the whirlpool and torrents of taste well up on the palate; deep, peppery and chewy, bombarding the tongue. The first plunge brings forth chewy peppered steak soaked in pepper sauce with the tang of crispy seaweed. As you descend deeper, encounter a mouthful of black tarry espresso coffee that coats the palate with rich melted dark fruits (blackcurrants, blueberries and cherries) and bitter almonds. As the taste soaks in deeper, star anise and hickory dry out the palate before a surprise of chalky effervescent violets fizz to the surface.Finish: Long, deep and remaining powerful into the finish with black tarry coffee, chocolate coated cherries and hot pepper sauce, the lingering memories of your mysterious and daring journey into Corryvreckan.
Drawing inspiration from the formidable whirlpool off Islay's northern coast, Ardbeg Corryvreckan is a dram as captivating and intense as its namesake. A place where only the most audacious souls dare to tread, the Corryvreckan whirlpool symbolizes the swirling depths of flavor and complexity encapsulated in this single malt.
Beneath its surface, one encounters a maelstrom of aromas and a deluge of deep, peaty, and peppery tastes, masterfully balanced to perfection. This isn't a whisky for the timid, mirroring the very essence of the whirlpool, it demands respect and appreciation from its beholder.
Its accolades speak volumes:
Honored as The World's Best Single Malt in 2010 by the World Whiskies Awards.
Key Attributes:
Non-chill filtered
Matured in Ex-bourbon casks
NAS (Non Aged Statement)
Boasts a robust 57.1% ABV
Cloaked in a lustrous shade of Rich Amber
In the world of whisky, Ardbeg Corryvreckan stands as a testament to nature's untamed power and the craftsperson's meticulous artistry.
Tasting Note by Ardbeg:Nose: Heady, intense and powerful. Swirl the glass and dip your nose into the torrents of tarry ropes, creosote and linseed oil rising from deep within the vortex. A collision of waxy dark chocolate, warm blackcurrants and muscovado sugar pulls you under its spell with a burst of plump cherries and earthy pine needles leaping from its depths. From salty seasoning comes a briny character with tangy crisp seaweed and smoky bacon swirling on the surface with hints of sweet vanilla, spicy cloves and blueberries. Surrender to its dangerous depths with the heady force of menthol, treacle and chilli sauce.Palate: Plunge into the whirlpool and torrents of taste well up on the palate; deep, peppery and chewy, bombarding the tongue. The first plunge brings forth chewy peppered steak soaked in pepper sauce with the tang of crispy seaweed. As you descend deeper, encounter a mouthful of black tarry espresso coffee that coats the palate with rich melted dark fruits (blackcurrants, blueberries and cherries) and bitter almonds. As the taste soaks in deeper, star anise and hickory dry out the palate before a surprise of chalky effervescent violets fizz to the surface.Finish: Long, deep and remaining powerful into the finish with black tarry coffee, chocolate coated cherries and hot pepper sauce, the lingering memories of your mysterious and daring journey into Corryvreckan.
Something unusual stirs at the Distillery. The iconic purifier on the still, historically responsible for Ardbeg's celebrated equilibrium between peat and fruity florals, has mysteriously vanished. In its wake arises "Ardbeg Heavy Vapours", a single malt that speaks to the unexpected and the uncharted.
Where once balance reigned, now brooding, deeper flavours have taken the helm. This whisky unveils a tantalizing twist in the Ardbeg tale, delivering a nose and palate laden with a powerful, aromatic punch. It's an intoxicating dance of the dark and intense, heralding the rise of the Heavy Vapours.
Key Aspects:
Non-chill filtered
A firm 46% ABV
Matured in Ex-bourbon casks
NAS (Non Aged Statement)
Exhibits a delicate hue of Pale Straw
Tasting Note by Ardbeg:Nose: Heady, intense and powerful. Swirl the glass and dip your nose into the torrents of tarry ropes, creosote and linseed oil rising from deep within the vortex. A collision of waxy dark chocolate, warm blackcurrants and muscovado sugar pulls you under its spell with a burst of plump cherries and earthy pine needles leaping from its depths. From salty seasoning comes a briny character with tangy crisp seaweed and smoky bacon swirling on the surface with hints of sweet vanilla, spicy cloves and blueberries. Surrender to its dangerous depths with the heady force of menthol, treacle and chilli sauce.Palate: Plunge into the whirlpool and torrents of taste well up on the palate; deep, peppery and chewy, bombarding the tongue. The first plunge brings forth chewy peppered steak soaked in pepper sauce with the tang of crispy seaweed. As you descend deeper, encounter a mouthful of black tarry espresso coffee that coats the palate with rich melted dark fruits (blackcurrants, blueberries and cherries) and bitter almonds. As the taste soaks in deeper, star anise and hickory dry out the palate before a surprise of chalky effervescent violets fizz to the surface.Finish: Long, deep and remaining powerful into the finish with black tarry coffee, chocolate coated cherries and hot pepper sauce, the lingering memories of your mysterious and daring journey into Corryvreckan.
Sourced from a collection of extremely rare casks, filled during some of the most trying times in the Distillery's history, this 25-year-old expression stands as the oldest in Ardbeg's core range.
This exquisite whisky is a testament to time itself, asserting that while age may mellow certain spirits, it cannot quell the fierce smoky essence that Ardbeg is renowned for. Instead, the passage of a quarter-century has allowed the most intricate, profound, and regal flavors to emerge, showcasing an unmatched complexity that only time can cultivate.
Preserving its true character, this spirit remains non-chill filtered, capturing every nuance of its storied past. With an ABV of 46%, its appearance in a glass is a radiant bright amber, reminiscent of a setting sun. Ardbeg's 25 Years Old is not just a whisky; it's a journey through time, echoing the distillery's indomitable spirit and dedication to craft.
Tasting Note by ArdbegNose: A pungent burst of smoked cream, peppermint and toffee, with Ardbeg’s classic fennel and pine resin. Distant earthy bonfires mix with herbal and fruity (banana and tropical) notes, along with fragrant candle wax.Palate: An extremely vibrant, hot peppery mouthfeel leads into a burst of sherbet lemon sweetness (candied apples, pears and orange), hints of carbolic soap and tar, more creamy toffee, aniseed and chilli pepper.Finish: A long, mellow, lingering aftertaste, with lots of cream, fudge and delicate antiseptic notes. An elegant, soothing style of Ardbeg.
Joining the esteemed Ultimate Range of the distillery, Ardbeg Wee Beastie emerges as the newest permanent member. Though it's a mere five years old, do not be deceived by its age. Wee Beastie lives up to its name, presenting itself as a spirited and fiery delight packed with a punch of unmatched flavor.
Its authenticity is preserved through a non-chill filtered process, ensuring every sip retains the whisky's true essence. Aged in both ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, it inherits whispers from each, blending the casks' histories and characteristics into a vibrant tapestry of taste. This young malt may be a "Wee Beastie," but it roars with the heart of a lion.
Tasting Note by ArdbegNose: Fresh herbal notes, with creeping hints of vanilla and pear. Rich Turkish coffee mingles with sappy pine resin, with honey-glazed ham lurking in the background. With water, more herbal top notes like vetiver and fennel captivate and pull you in, while beguiling scents of aniseed, green apple and leather cause you to drop your guard. Out of nowhere, a sharp tang of smoke and a crack of fresh black pepper fire warning shots across the senses.Palate: Suddenly, a rich, explosive mouthfeel bursts forth with chocolate, creosote and tar. A powerful blast of eucalyptus thrashes about with antiseptic lozenges and aniseed. The raw, smoky intensity gathers pace, before smoked bacon and savoury meats sink into the palate.Finish: The long, salty mouthcoating finish retreats, with hints of cocoa and fudge slinking slowly away.
