Ardbeg

Ardbeg is one of the most famous strong smoky Scotch whiskies. The excellent single malt is produced at the Ardbeg Distillery on the legendary whisky island of Islay in the west of Scotland. The intensive smoking over peat of the malt gives Ardbeg a strong smoky flavour. Earthy notes and campfire ash combine with maritime flavours of seaweed and sea air. All of this is subtly framed by a malty sweetness and fresh citrus notes. Ardbeg is an Islay whisky that you won't forget. To get you started, we recommend the classic Ardbeg 10 Years or the smooth Ardbeg An Oa. For advanced connoisseurs, the high-proof variants Ardbeg Uigeadail and Ardbeg Corryvreckan are a must.

Ardbeg: "The reason why the good Lord gave us taste buds..."

At least that's what the famous whisky author Jim Murray thinks. And quite a few whisky lovers are inclined to agree with him. After all, Ardbeg is the declared favourite of many whisky fans and peat heads. The heavily smoky and peaty Islay single malt is highly praised and almost cultishly revered. Although, or perhaps precisely because, the earthy and smoky Islay whisky is anything but easily accessible.

Where is Ardbeg located? The Ardbeg Distillery nestles in a bay on the south coast of the world-famous whisky island of Islay. On Islay's south coast, Ardbeg completes the trio of legendary south coast single malts Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. The smokiest Scotch whiskies are produced on Islay. As a result, Islay whisky has gained a large following worldwide and has burnt (or smoked) its way into the hearts of many whisky fans.

What does Ardbeg mean? The literal translation of Ardbeg would be "little hill".

3 reasons to love Ardbeg

1) Because no other whisky is deeper, more complex and multi-layered.

2) Because the distillery's "Old Kiln Cafe" serves the most delicious homemade soups.

3) Because even the marketing has style and loving humour.

What does Ardbeg whisky taste like?

The malts from Ardbeg are what you might call "typically Islay". Peaty, smoky, earthy, iodised, rich, multi-layered and full of sea air. In addition to the smoky flavours, Ardbeg single malts always have tangy citrus notes reminiscent of lemon or lime. It is therefore no coincidence that Ardbeg pairs perfectly with oysters and other seafood. The extreme character of Ardbeg is both its strength and weakness. Not everyone likes the rather special smoky, maritime style. The heavily peated malt comes from the Port-Ellen Maltings in the neighbourhood.

Our Ardbeg recommendation:

The powerful Ardbeg Uigeadail with 54.2% is unspeakably delicious. Thanks to a high proportion of sherry casks, the Ardbeg Uigeadail brings together powerful peat smoke with sweet marmalade notes. An irresistible combination! We recommend the Ardbeg An Oa to beginners who are afraid of the intensity of the 54.2%. Alongside the classic Ardbeg 10 year old, the Ardbeg An Oa is the perfect entry-level variant, as it is not quite as extreme as its siblings.

A little history about Ardbeg

Ardbeg was probably founded in 1815 by John McDougall. Even then, the distillery was located around 5 kilometres east of Port Ellen, not far from the historic "Kildalton Cross" on the south coast of Islay. There is no doubt that the distillery has been in operation since 1817.

Ardbeg was family-owned until 1959. In 1977, the company was taken over by Hiram Walker (Allied Lyons) and operated by Allied Distillers, who closed it down in 1981. Ardbeg was reopened in 1989, but without its own maltings, which supplied the malt until 1977 and traditionally had a strong influence on the characteristic smoky flavour of the malt. This was because the in-house maltings lacked fans. The smoke from the peat fire therefore permeated the malt with particular intensity.

Closed again in 1996, Ardbeg was then sold to McDonald & Muir (Glenmorangie, Glen Moray) at the beginning of 1997. In the same year, the distillery resumed operations under the then manager Stuart Thomson and has been in continuous operation ever since. In October 2004, the successor company to McDonald & Muir, Glenmorangie plc, was sold in its entirety to Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH).

Figures & facts about Ardbeg

Address: Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Argyll PA42 7EA

Founded: 1815 by John McDougall

Region: Islay Whisky

Owner: Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton

Type: Single malt Scotch whisky

Smoke: Heavily peated/heavily peated/heavily smoky

Status: active

Capacity: approx. 2,100,000 litres

Distillation stills: 2 wash stills (18,279 l), 2 spirit stills (16.957 l)

Washbacks: 8, Douglas Spruce

Mashtun: Semi Lauter, 5 tonnes

Water: Loch Uigeadail and Loch Airigh Nam Beist

Visitor Centre: Yes

Phone: +44 (0)1496 302 244

Website: www.ardbeg.com