Ardbeg is a renowned and revered name in the world of Scotch whisky. Situated on the remote Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland, Ardbeg Distillery has been producing exceptional single malt whiskies since 1815. Known for its distinctive peaty and smoky flavour profile, Ardbeg whiskies have gained a loyal following among whisky enthusiasts worldwide. The distillery's location plays a significant role in shaping the character of Ardbeg whiskies. The island's unique terroir, with its peat-rich soil and briny coastal influence, imparts a distinct maritime essence to the whiskies. This, combined with the traditional peat-smoking process, results in an unmistakable smoky aroma and flavour that is synonymous with Ardbeg. Ardbeg offers a diverse range of expressions, each showcasing its own unique characteristics. From the flagship Ardbeg 10 Year Old, with its bold and robust flavors of peat smoke, iodine and citrus, to limited editions and special releases, Ardbeg continuously pushes the boundaries of whisky craftsmanship. The distillery's commitment to traditional production methods and attention to detail is evident in every bottle of Ardbeg. The use of traditional copper pot stills, the carefully selected malted barley and the maturation process in oak casks all contribute to the complexity and depth of flavour found in Ardbeg whiskies. Ardbeg has garnered numerous awards and accolades over the years, solidifying its position as one of the world's leading whisky brands. Ardbeg Ten Years Old is globally renowned as the ultimate expression of peat, smoke, and complexity in a single malt whisky. However, it doesn't overpower with peat; instead, it harmoniously combines with the inherent sweetness of the malt, resulting in a perfectly balanced whisky. This exceptional offering was honoured with the title of World Whisky of the Year in 2008.

The newest, oldest whisky to join Ardbeg's core range is an impressively packaged 25 year old, an age statement not seen since the 'Lord of the Isles' bottlings over a decade ago. It's also the oldest permanent addition to the brand, distilled in the 1990s, and available in limited quantities due to its age and rarity. Readers should note that very little whisky was produced at the distillery in the middle '90s. Ardbeg’s production halted in 1981, then resumed in 1989 under Hiram Walker but remained at a low level until late 1996. Most Ardbeg enthusiasts will have tasted little from this distillery's 'quiet period'. Hence, this first edition represents a genuine slice of Islay history. Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s chief whisky creator, comments: “After a quarter of a century in the cask, you’d be forgiven for imagining that Ardbeg 25 Years Old would have lost some of the hallmark smoky punch. I can assure you it hasn’t.... And yet there’s also a remarkable complexity and elegance to this whisky that I find utterly captivating. It’s unmistakably Ardbeg, but unlike any Ardbeg you’ve tasted before.” Strikingly presented in a gun metal coloured bottle, Ardbeg 25 comes housed in a case featuring a modern metallic take on the classic Ardbeg knotwork, symbolic of the untamed complexity of this extraordinary whisky. Notes from Ardbeg... smoked cream, peppermint, toffee, fennel and pine resin on the nose, leading to a ‘vibrant, hot peppery mouthfeel’ with flavours of sherbet lemon, carbolic soap and tar, creamy toffee, aniseed and chilli pepper. The finish is said to be long, mellow and lingering, with cream, fudge and antiseptic notes. Non chill filtered. 46% Alc./Vol.

The consensus on the bloggersphere is that this is one gimmicky Ardbeg that actually works! You start with a hare-brained idea, you bring together three unique casks, two masters in their own right, and a whole lot of heat and smoke… what do you get? You get Ardbeg’s first ever barbecue-inspired whisky. Cooked up by renowned Master Distiller, Dr Bill Lumsden, alongside bona-fide god of the grill, Christian Stevenson (AKA DJ BBQ), fire has been the vital element in creating the malt. Toasting a selection of three casks; double charred oak casks, Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and BBQ casks, this combined recipe comes together to bring a sweet, tangy, smoky flavour. Collectors will love the 1930s cartoon-style label which encapsulates ‘grilling meets distilling’ . Drinkers will appreciate the higher ABV - and the reasonable asking price when compared to several recent Ardbeg NAS bottlings. 50.9% ABV. Non-chill filtered. Notes from the producers... Nose: Puffs of charcoal and soot mingle with smoky wood and aromatic herbs and spices. Treacle toffee, hickory smoked ham and cinnamon-dusted espresso rise up. A splash of water releases distinctively sharp citrus aromas, along with herbal notes such as fennel and aniseed. Grilled artichokes and a suggestion of seared meat sizzles the senses. The undeniable smell of bonfire and BBQ embers lingers in the background. Palate: The mouthfeel is alive with spice, like BBQ ribs smothered in chilli. A myriad of deep, warming smoke follows close behind in flame-grilled steak, chilli oil, cured leather and clove. Ginger, aniseed and tar crackle on the palate with an aromatic woodsmoke edge. Finish: The massive, hot aftertaste lingers on and on, with more grilled artichoke, black olives and a sooty note that slowly simmers away.

Ardbeg's Corryvreckan replaced the discontinued Airigh Nam Beist . Unusually dry for Ardbeg, otherwise an utterly brilliant, unique expression of Islay. Tasting note: Dull gold colour with pale straw hue. quite an unusual nose for an Ardbeg. Rich chocolate, vanilla, lemon butter and spice above a smoky salty layer, the only evidence that it's Ardbeg is the end note of terracotta/clay/wet charcoal. With time in the glass, fresh smoky characteristics emerge, but do not dominate. The intense palate is initially rich and creamy, quite heavily peated, rich chocolatey flavours mingle harmoniously with the lemon butter before the unusually overt oak grips dry and the peat explodes - softly! The back palate is dry, firm, overtly oaky, and extremely spicy. Excellent balance at cask strength. Warm, tingly, spicy finish. Lemon, dry cocoa, strong spice and gentle smoke dominate the lengthy aftertaste. Austerely dry by Ardbeg standards but one of their best on record. 57.1% Alc./Vol.

Ardbeg's latest annual offering comes with a curious title that's due to a production modification. Head of Whisky Creation, Bill Lumsden removed the purifier, which typically catches the heaviest vapours from the distillation process. The purifier is also responsible for Ardbeg’s balance between extreme peat and floral fruitiness. The resulting whisky is "all peat". In fact, Ardbeg says that it's their most full-blown expression ever with an intensity of flavour that's unmatched. A spokesperson for the brand describes the flavour profile as, "Defined by a distinctive pungent earthiness, aromatic clouds of dark chocolate, a billow of aniseed and cinnamon, and a lingering tang of sharp peppermint." Dramface.com add "According to an interview Lumsden participated in for WhiskyCast, the experiment which gave birth to this year’s release was conducted 12 years ago. Even allowing for time of year and the time taken to dump casks, blend, package and distribute, it’s safe to assume this bottling is at least 11 years old, given that Lumsden claims the experiment was only ever conducted in one batch." We've just received our allocation. The whisky's unusual conception is brought to life with accompanying graphics created by celebrated comic artist and illustrator, Dilraj Mann. The nose is slightly reticent while the flavour profile leans towards smokey dark chocolate, oily malt, chimney soot and white pepper followed by a dried herbal quality. The aftertaste is ashy, drying, medium long and vaguely fruity in a mezcal kind of way. Like last year's Ardbeg Day release (Ardcore), Heavy Vapours is not quite as intense or complex as anticipated, although it does taste slightly more mature and feels like the texture is amplified, particularly at the finish where cured meats and a salt'n'pepper tang recall middle-weight Caol Ilas. In a word, more elegant than "extreme". 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

"...shows more complexity than some whiskies twice its age, making it a remarkable find." - Number 6 in the 2020 Top 20 by whiskyadvocate.com Matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, Wee Beastie is the latest permanent expression to join the Ardbeg family. Youthful, but with an enticingly fresh sea air quality on the nose, as well as hints of iodine, menthol, lanolin and pear, it carries the ABV effortlessly in a breezy, medium bodied delivery. The typically assertive Ardbeggian smoke is somewhat tamed. Instead, nuances of fruit'n'nut chocolate, menthol cigarettes, caraway and rye bread come through. The finish is gently peaty, with hints of fruit and a pleasant salt and pepper tang. An Ardbeg for all occasions. 47.4% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Product Information: Each year, peat enthusiasts, or as we like to call them "peatheads," around the world eagerly anticipate Ardbeg Day. In 2023, Planet Ardbeg Day was celebrated with new release Ardbeg Heavy Vapours. This whisky is produced by bypassing their legendary purifier – the one responsible for Ardbeg’s signature balance producing a heavier version of Ardbeg's favourite Islay malt. Imagine untamed darker flavours and notes, gathering and filling the senses. It is an ominous dram of dramatic, aromatic pungency. Heavy Vapours will rise. If those heady notes don't get you excited this will. Introducing the 2023 Ardbeg Day T-shirt. This T-Shirt is brandished with the words 'Rise of the Heavy Vapours' and is extremely limited. Be quick and snap them up before they disappear. This graphic tee is a high quality transfer on the Sol's Imperial 11500 shirt, made of 100% cotton. SOL'S Imperial has become the reference 190 t-shirt in Europe thanks to its finishing, quality, colours, and unisex fit. Maker: Ardbeg is a renowned and revered name in the world of Scotch whisky. Situated on the remote Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland, Ardbeg Distillery has been producing exceptional single malt whiskies since 1815. Known for its distinctive peaty and smoky flavour profile, Ardbeg whiskies have gained a loyal following among whisky enthusiasts worldwide. The small, remote Scottish island of Islay (pronounced 'eye-lah') is an antique land. A wild and untamed place, where Celtic monks found refuge from raiding Norsemen and early distillers smuggled their illicit "aquavitae" at Ardbeg's rugged rocky cove. Abundant soft water, fertile soil and acres of precious peat makes this island a place of pilgrimage for the single malt whisky faithful. And none more so than our very own Ardbeg, unquestionably the greatest distillery on Earth. For over 200 years, Ardbeg has been made on Islay. Some people travel to Ardbeg along the winding road from Port Ellen. Others follow their nose, their destiny or the advice of a good friend. The Distillery: Ardbeg's distillation process involves two stages to produce a high-quality spirit. The first distillation in the wash still results in "low wines" at about 24% alcohol. The second distillation in the spirit still raises the alcohol content to 76%, with initial impurities (foreshots) removed and only the purest spirit, starting the Spirit Cut, is selected for maturation. This spirit is collected until it reaches 62.5% alcohol, with any remaining impurities sent back for further distillation. Ardbeg's whisky matures in a mix of casks, including ex-Bourbon barrels, Sherry Butts, and French Oak, which contribute to its distinct salty, iodine character due to its coastal location.

Product Information: Each year, peat enthusiasts, or as we like to call them "peatheads," around the world eagerly anticipate Ardbeg Day. In 2023, Planet Ardbeg Day was celebrated with new release Ardbeg Heavy Vapours. This whisky is produced by bypassing their legendary purifier – the one responsible for Ardbeg’s signature balance producing a heavier version of Ardbeg's favourite Islay malt. Imagine untamed darker flavours and notes, gathering and filling the senses. It is an ominous dram of dramatic, aromatic pungency. Heavy Vapours will rise. If those heady notes don't get you excited this will - Introducing the 2023 Ardbeg Day T-shirt brandished with the words 'Rise of the Heavy Vapours', it's extremely limited so be quick and snap them up before they disappear. This graphic tee is a high quality transfer on the Sol's Imperial 11500 shirt, made of 100% cotton. SOL'S Imperial has become the reference 190 t-shirt in Europe thanks to its finishing, quality, colours, and unisex fit. Maker: Ardbeg is a renowned and revered name in the world of Scotch whisky. Situated on the remote Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland, Ardbeg Distillery has been producing exceptional single malt whiskies since 1815. Known for its distinctive peaty and smoky flavour profile, Ardbeg whiskies have gained a loyal following among whisky enthusiasts worldwide. The small, remote Scottish island of Islay (pronounced 'eye-lah') is an antique land. A wild and untamed place, where Celtic monks found refuge from raiding Norsemen and early distillers smuggled their illicit "aquavitae" at Ardbeg's rugged rocky cove. Abundant soft water, fertile soil and acres of precious peat makes this island a place of pilgrimage for the single malt whisky faithful. And none more so than our very own Ardbeg, unquestionably the greatest distillery on Earth. For over 200 years, Ardbeg has been made on Islay. Some people travel to Ardbeg along the winding road from Port Ellen. Others follow their nose, their destiny or the advice of a good friend. The Distillery: Ardbeg's distillation process involves two stages to produce a high-quality spirit. The first distillation in the wash still results in "low wines" at about 24% alcohol. The second distillation in the spirit still raises the alcohol content to 76%, with initial impurities (foreshots) removed and only the purest spirit, starting the Spirit Cut, is selected for maturation. This spirit is collected until it reaches 62.5% alcohol, with any remaining impurities sent back for further distillation. Ardbeg's whisky matures in a mix of casks, including ex-Bourbon barrels, Sherry Butts, and French Oak, which contribute to its distinct salty, iodine character due to its coastal location.

Product Information: Each year, peat enthusiasts, or as we like to call them "peatheads," around the world eagerly anticipate Ardbeg Day. In 2023, Planet Ardbeg Day was celebrated with new release Ardbeg Heavy Vapours. This whisky is produced by bypassing their legendary purifier – the one responsible for Ardbeg’s signature balance producing a heavier version of Ardbeg's favourite Islay malt. Imagine untamed darker flavours and notes, gathering and filling the senses. It is an ominous dram of dramatic, aromatic pungency. Heavy Vapours will rise. If those heady notes don't get you excited this will - Introducing the 2023 Ardbeg Day T-shirt brandished with the words 'Rise of the Heavy Vapours', it's extremely limited so be quick and snap them up before they disappear. This graphic tee is a high quality transfer on the Sol's Imperial 11500 shirt, made of 100% cotton. SOL'S Imperial has become the reference 190 t-shirt in Europe thanks to its finishing, quality, colours, and unisex fit. Maker: Ardbeg is a renowned and revered name in the world of Scotch whisky. Situated on the remote Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland, Ardbeg Distillery has been producing exceptional single malt whiskies since 1815. Known for its distinctive peaty and smoky flavour profile, Ardbeg whiskies have gained a loyal following among whisky enthusiasts worldwide. The small, remote Scottish island of Islay (pronounced 'eye-lah') is an antique land. A wild and untamed place, where Celtic monks found refuge from raiding Norsemen and early distillers smuggled their illicit "aquavitae" at Ardbeg's rugged rocky cove. Abundant soft water, fertile soil and acres of precious peat makes this island a place of pilgrimage for the single malt whisky faithful. And none more so than our very own Ardbeg, unquestionably the greatest distillery on Earth. For over 200 years, Ardbeg has been made on Islay. Some people travel to Ardbeg along the winding road from Port Ellen. Others follow their nose, their destiny or the advice of a good friend. The Distillery: Ardbeg's distillation process involves two stages to produce a high-quality spirit. The first distillation in the wash still results in "low wines" at about 24% alcohol. The second distillation in the spirit still raises the alcohol content to 76%, with initial impurities (foreshots) removed and only the purest spirit, starting the Spirit Cut, is selected for maturation. This spirit is collected until it reaches 62.5% alcohol, with any remaining impurities sent back for further distillation. Ardbeg's whisky matures in a mix of casks, including ex-Bourbon barrels, Sherry Butts, and French Oak, which contribute to its distinct salty, iodine character due to its coastal location.

Another Ardbeg Day release arrives, bottled once and never to be repeated. This time around, it's created with roasted black malt - a first for Ardbeg. Incinerated to within an inch of its life, the malt defines the profile contributing charcoal and sweet smoke, aniseed and dark chocolate for a memorable Islay experience. Trumping past releases, Ardbeg's marketing department has gone to considerable lengths for the new edition, this time focusing on the brand’s alleged punk past, with Islay’s main port, Port Ellen, going by the nickname ‘Punk Ellen’ in the 1970s. (There was even a punk posse led by the local hotelier's daughter, which reached as many as three at the height of its notoriety). Meanwhile, Ardbeg’s head of distilling and whisky creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden, describes the flavour as being “like biting on a spiky ball.” Collectors will love it, with the story and presentation being a hook for followers of the brand. The limited edition main release has landed (as opposed to the even more limited Committee Release) and as is always the case, it comes bottled at 46% and non chill filtered. The first sniffs bring young distillate to the fore, so from a fresh bottle give this a good ten minutes and you'll get a moderate lift of menthol-infused peat that also hints at anise, fennel and rye bread receding into sweeter smoke and vanilla malt with further air contact. It's medium bodied and sweetly peaty (think Caol Ila); hints of Elastoplast mingle with chocolate sponge cake and sprinklings of pepper; the finish is ashy and warming with citrus tang lacing late malt sweetness. Overall, in spite of the presentation and marketing, this is much more civilised and approachable than you might expect. Notes from the producers... Spicy and savoury, Ardcore grips the senses with waves of marmite, burnt toast, chicory charcoal and infused coffee grounds making for a mosh pit in the glass. Like a safety pin through the septum, a classic Ardbeg herbal top note is present, while swirling, smoky bonfire and molasses loiter backstage. TASTE: A jaw dropping spicy and fiery mouthfeel leads to an explosion of rich, smoky flavours – cocoa powder, dark chocolate, peanut brittle toffee, smoked lime and a suggestion of soot and bonfire embers all pogo in unison on the palate. Amped up aniseed and malty biscuit elbow their way to the fore, punkturing taste buds. FINISH: In an altogether sweeter finish, long, lingering notes of treacle toffee, soot and smoke make for an anarchic, but delicious, aftertaste.