Ardbeg

Introduction:

The whiskies of Ardbeg are known for their heavily peated character. Unlike other Islay malts, Ardbeg does not emphasize sea and salt flavors. Instead, they focus on aromatic spices, malt, and sweet tones like vanilla and chocolate.

Core Range:

Ardbeg’s core range includes Ardbeg TEN, Uigeadail, and Corryvreckan. Ardbeg TEN is a ten-year-old expression named after its age. Uigeadail takes its name from Loch Uigeadail, and Corryvreckan is named after a famous sea vortex. The newer addition to the range is Ardbeg Wee Beastie, a young bottling with a five-year age statement.

Special Releases:

Ardbeg has released several special editions without age statements, including Supernova, Ardbog, and Alligator. These bottles are highly sought after, offer unique tastes, and are produced in limited quantities.

Production:

Ardbeg’s production capacity has recently increased with the introduction of a new still house. The distillery now has two wash and two spirit stills, allowing for a production volume of up to 2.8 million liters of alcohol per year. Previously, the production volume was around 1 million liters per year. Ardbeg’s spirit is primarily used for Single Malt Whisky, although a few barrels may reach independent bottlers.

Water Sources:

Ardbeg sources its water from two main water sources: Loch Airigh Nam Beist and Loch Uigeadail. These water sources contribute to the unique character and flavor of Ardbeg whiskies.

Pot Stills:

Ardbeg distills its whisky twice using pot stills. The stills have tall necks and constrictions above the conical neck, resulting in a stable distillation process with significant reflux. This helps filter out sharp and alcoholic tones found in lower-quality spirits. Ardbeg also employs a purifier in the Lyne Arm to enhance the desired distillery character.

Malting:

While Ardbeg used to malt barley on its own malting floors and cut peat on-site, they now source their malt from Port Ellen maltings, which has a high peat smoke content.

Mashing and Fermentation:

Ardbeg’s mash tun is a modern stainless steel semi-lauter tun installed in 1999, although it retains the appearance of an old cast iron tun. The distillery has both original and additional washbacks, allowing fermentation to take place in different buildings. The washbacks can hold 23,500 liters and fermentation lasts approximately 66 to 71 hours, resulting in a creamy and fruity beer.

Warehouse and Maturation:

Ardbeg has multiple warehouses on Islay, with Warehouse No. 2 being particularly famous for its unpainted exterior. The distillery primarily uses Bourbon casks, but occasional Sherry casks are used to impart sweetness to certain expressions. The slow maturation process on Islay, influenced by the Gulf Stream, leads to a lower angels’ share and a unique maturation profile.

History:

Ardbeg Distillery was officially founded in 1815 by John McDougall, although illicit distillation likely took place on the site before that. Ownership of the distillery changed hands several times over the years, facing periods of closure and bankruptcy. Glenmorangie Plc. acquired Ardbeg in 1997, and the distillery was reopened with a new brand design. In 2004, Moet Hennessy acquired Glenmorangie, and Ardbeg became part of their portfolio.

Visitor Center:

Ardbeg’s visitor center welcomes guests year-round, offering various tours to explore the distillery’s history. The top-level tour provides the opportunity to participate in the production process and includes a cask tasting in the warehouse. Additionally, Seaview Cottages near the distillery offer accommodation for those seeking an immersive Ardbeg experience.

Visitor information:

The Ardbeg Distillery
Port Ellen
Isle of Islay
Argyll PA42 7EA
Tel: 01496-302244