Distillery Notes:
A SPECTACLE OF SHOWSTOPPING FLAVOURS – A WHISKY THAT EXHIBITS ALL MANNER OF PECULIAR NOTES AND AROMAS.
Matured in the finest port casks
Ladies, gentlemen and Ardbeggians, step right up and behold a marvel of maturation...ARDBEG SPECTACULAR!
A first for Ardbeg, this whisky has been matured in highly sought-after port wine casks, then married with classic bourbon barrels.
Creating an extraordinarily smoky and balanced Ardbeg dram that imparts all manner of peculiar notes and aromas. This is devilish sweet meets smoky peat!
Tasting Notes:
COLOUR: Sunset Orange
AROMA: Curiously perfumed and aromatic, a big top note of fragrant lavender tumbles into vetiver and incense candles. Down below, deeper notes of leather and wax dance alongside a rich almond nuttiness. A splash of water reveals gentle wisps of woodsmoke and damp peat moss. Hints of menthol hurl headlong into rich antique leather.
TASTE: A viscous mouthfeel bursts forth to introduce a sparkling array of salty, sweet, and savoury flavours. Peat smoke, eucalyptus oil, minty chocolate and toffee mingle with smoked pecans, creosote, and tar. Subtle sweet pear crumble and fudge lurk in the background.
FINISH: Finally, a long and lingering finale of salted caramel and cooling menthol brings this showstopping spectacle of flavour to a close.
Awards/Reviews
93 Points, #11 Top 20 Of 2024 - Whisky Advocate
"Ardbeg has a reputation for scotch that screams with peat and smoke. This new creation, which marks the first time that Ardbeg has ever used port pipes for maturation, shows balance and restraint that belie its over-the-top name. Yes, the peat is there but also candied walnut, orange peel, grilled meat, and pleasant minerality. This is a mix of whiskies aged 9 to 13 years, roughly one-third matured in bourbon barrels, the rest in port casks. The finish is exceptionally long; fitting for a dram you want to taste again and again. "
"On the pour, the nose is a mix of coastal salt, peat, and industrial smoke. After letting the dram breathe for a few minutes, aromatic menthol (eucalyptus), lavender, and some peaty moss alongside a hint of leather – which conceal a slight sweetness, caramel or toffee. A mix of sweet and savory. Initially a sugary sweet note, with orchard fruits plum, strawberry, and pear. This sweetness suddenly gives way to savory notes, sea salt, leather, roasted nuts, tar, and woodsmoke, although there’s still a eucalyptus note – some characteristic Ardbeg flavors. A long finish, that’s slightly drying. Hints of bonfire smoke, leather, and salted caramel before a final cooling hit of eucalyptus." - The Whisky Wash
91 Points - Vinepair
"Initial aromas come together as campfire-baked dutch oven peach cobbler. Rich baked fruit wafts out of the glass, and the classic Ardbeg peat is fruity and bready here. Concentrating on individual notes brings forth aromas of rising dough, rosemary sprigs, and fresh charcoal. Oily rosemary adds an herbal meatiness that pairs well with the smoke. It’s peaty, to be sure, but also earthy. A trademark Ardbeg mix of peat and sweet crawling along the tongue thanks to a downright syrupy mouthfeel. Ripe raspberries and dark chocolate gradually develop right before the midpalate. They’re joined by smoky burnt ends, toasted green and red peppercorns, woodfire-roasted bell pepper, and orange oil. More sips bring additional dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans, and cacao nibs that build from the midpalate on. It’s a fairly elegant handoff from the meaty flavors at this point. Subtle smoke lingers with light fruity sweetness."
