The same raw spirit, with a peaty twist — the smoke is already present before the cask.

Expert description

Annandale Rascally New Make Peaty Malt Spirit is the distillery's peated new make spirit, drawn straight after distillation without cask maturation, bottled at 63.5%. 'Rascally Liquor' is the name of Annandale's new make spirit, named after a quote by the Scottish poet Robert Burns, who described whisky as exactly that — 'rascally liquor'. It was first launched on Burns Night in 2015. Annandale Distillery was founded in 1836 as one of Scotland's first legal distilleries, but closed in 1918 while owned by none other than Johnnie Walker. The distillery lay derelict for nearly a century, until Professor David Thomson and Teresa Church read about it in the book 'Scotch Missed: Lost Distilleries of Scotland', tracked down the ruined building, bought the site in 2007 and reopened the distillery in 2014 after extensive restoration. The distillery produces two main expressions: the unpeated Man O'Words and the peated Man O'Sword, continuing the distillery's historic tradition of smoky whisky.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is smoky and grainy with a hint of medicinal peat.

Palate

The palate is intense and smoky with peat and pronounced alcohol strength.

Finish

The finish is short, smoky and lightly salty.

Specifications

Name: Annandale Rascally New Make Peaty Malt Spirit
Distillery: Annandale Distillery
Region/Country: Lowland, Scotland
Type: New Make Peaty Malt Spirit
ABV: 63.5%
Size: 20 CL

Flavour profile

Smoky · Peated · Raw · Intense

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Some whiskies are made to be analysed. This one is made to be shared. The name says it plainly: Storyman, the bottle that sits in the middle of the table while somebody finishes telling it.

The Expert's Description

Annandale Storyman 2nd Edition is a Blended Scotch Whisky bottled at 46% by Annandale Distillery. It was created by the distillery and personally selected by the actor and storyteller James Cosmo, and the second edition carries on from the first.

A blend mixes malt whisky with grain whisky, and the result is usually softer and more approachable than a single malt. At 46% and without chill filtration, however, this sits higher than most standard blends, which are typically bottled at 40%. That gives more body and a clearer texture without giving up the approachability.

Annandale sits at Annan in Dumfriesshire in the far south of Scotland and has been running again since 2014 after nearly a century of silence. Alongside the two single malt ranges, Man O’ Sword and Man O’ Words, the distillery also stands behind Storyman.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Malt and honey first, with baked apple and a touch of vanilla behind. There is a light cereal sweetness running through it, the signature of the blend, and a clean straightforward aroma with no sharp edges.

Palate

Soft and round. Caramel, malt and bright fruit open, then a mild spiced warmth and a light nutty note. The 46% gives more body and length than you would expect from a blend, so there is something to hold on to.

Finish

Medium length. Malt, honey and a dry cereal note that lets go cleanly without bitterness.

Specifications

Name: Annandale Storyman 2nd Edition Blended Scotch Whisky 46%
Bottler: Annandale
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Edition: 2nd Edition
EAN no.: 5060427430526

Flavour Profile

Malty · Soft · Honeyed · Fruity · Spiced · Light

Did You Know?

James Cosmo is a Scottish actor with decades of film and television work behind him, and he is as well known as a storyteller as he is as an actor. Putting his name to a blend rather than a single malt makes sense: a blend is the bottle that has to sit out on the table while the story gets told.

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An old American craft rooted in a distiller's own family history.

Expert description

AppleJack Golden Moon Colorado is distilled from a blend of apple cider made from Colorado-grown apples, fermented and then distilled into a traditional American apple brandy, lightly oak-aged, bottled at 40%. Golden Moon Distillery was founded in 2008 by Stephen Gould and Karen Knight in the town of Golden, Colorado. While researching the distillery, Gould discovered that his own grandfather had made applejack and gin during Prohibition in a hidden room beneath the kitchen of the hotel he owned.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is fresh with apple, caramel and a hint of spice.

Palate

The palate offers ripe apple, honey and light sweetness.

Finish

The finish is medium-length, fresh and fruity.

Specifications

Name: AppleJack Golden Moon Colorado - a smooth blend not whisky
Distillery: AppleJack
Region/Country: Golden, Colorado, USA
Type: Apple Brandy
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour profile

Fresh · Apple-forward · Sweet · Fruity

Did you know?

Founder Stephen Gould's own grandfather reportedly made applejack and gin in a hidden room beneath the kitchen of his hotel during Prohibition — a family story that directly inspired the revival of the craft at Golden Moon.

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The rye field lies three hundred metres from the stills. That is not a romantic turn of phrase, it is an address. At Arbikie everything is sown, harvested, distilled, matured and bottled on the same farm running down to Lunan Bay, and that makes this whisky something very few Scottish distilleries can imitate.

The Expert's Description

Arbikie 1794 Batch 22 is a Highland Single Grain Scotch Whisky matured in new charred American oak casks and bottled at 48%. The batch yielded 2,490 bottles, and the whisky is neither chill filtered nor coloured.

The rye makes it a Single Grain rather than a Single Malt, since the term Single Malt is reserved for whisky made solely from malted barley. 1794 was the first rye whisky ever made in Scotland, and the name refers to the year distilling first took place at Arbikie. Maturation happens entirely in new charred oak, which is unusual in Scotland but entirely normal for American rye.

Every batch turns out differently, because weather, field and grain variety shift from year to year. Batch 22 carries a deep rich amber colour from the new wood and aromas of hedgerow berries, black tea and caramel. The Stirling family has been farming since 1660 and has been at Arbikie for four generations.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Hedgerow berries and black tea first, with a layer of warm caramel underneath. The rye reports in as dried dill and a peppery, almost green note. The new oak gives vanilla and a light resinous scent, more American than Scottish.

Palate

Spicy and dry from the start. The rye fills the mid-palate with pepper and a sweetish cereal character, while the charred oak lays caramel, cinnamon and burnt sugar on top. At 48% there is body enough to carry it without the whisky turning hard.

Finish

Long and spicy. Pepper, dried fruit and a dry woody close, where the rye hangs on longest.

Specifications

Name: Arbikie 1794 Batch 22 Highland Rye Single Grain Scotch Whisky 48%
Distillery: Arbikie
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Grain Scotch Whisky
ABV: 48%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: New charred American oak casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Number of bottles: 2,490
Edition: Batch 22
EAN no.: 5060398440616

Flavour Profile

Spiced · Dry · Caramel · Berry · Peppery · Oaky

Did You Know?

The Stirling family has been farming since 1660, originally on the west coast. The land passed through seven generations before great uncle Bill moved to Lunan Bay on the Angus coast in the 1920s. The family has now worked that farm for four generations, and it is the same ground the rye for this whisky grows on.

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Ardara Distillery blends traditional distillation methods with heavy peat smoke in this limited edition, created for enthusiasts who love depth and authentic Irish craftsmanship.

Expert Review

Ardara 2025 Edition is a heavily peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey, bottled at 46%.

The whiskey combines traditional distillation methods with heavy peat smoke, giving a pronounced and full flavour profile. It is bottled with natural colour and without chill filtration, ensuring a genuine, unadulterated whiskey experience. Ardara 2025 Edition is a notable release from the newer Irish Ardara Distillery, intended for both collectors and smoke lovers seeking a modern Irish whiskey with a distinct peat character.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Intense peat smoke and warm spice.

Palate

Malty nuances with powerful smoke and spice.

Finish

Long and robust, with lingering peat character.

Specifications

Name: Ardara 2025 Edition
Distillery: Ardara
Region/Country: Ireland
Type: Heavily Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Vintage: 2025 edition
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
EAN no.: 5391532621289

Flavour Profile

Heavily smoky · Peat-driven · Spiced · Malty · Robust

Did You Know?

Ardara Distillery is one of Ireland's newer distilleries, named after the town of Ardara in County Donegal, and has quickly gained attention for its pronounced peated style.

The first release in a series that never repeats itself, from the moment Traigh Bhan was set free for the very first time.

Expert Review

Ardbeg 19 Year Old Traigh Bhan Batch 1 is an Islay Single Malt Whisky matured in American oak and Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 46.2%.

Batch 1 was the starting gun for the entire Traigh Bhan series, with a new batch released every single year since. This first release sets the tone for the rest of the series, with a deep sherry influence combined with Ardbeg's signature peat smoke.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Smoked pineapple and a hint of chilli open things up, followed by dark chocolate.

Palate

Smoke and wood in close interplay, with the peat carrying it all through with a light sweetness in the background.

Finish

Dry and smoky with a lasting woody sharpness that lingers.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg 19 Year Old Traigh Bhan Batch 1
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
Age: 19 years
ABV: 46.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak and Oloroso sherry casks
Edition: Batch 1

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Sherry-matured · Spiced · Fruity

Investment Potential

Medium. As the first release in the Traigh Bhan series, long sold out from the distillery itself, Batch 1 has become a reference point for collectors tracking the series batch by batch.

Did You Know?

Batch 1 is the release that set the standard for how a Traigh Bhan should taste, and many collectors still hold on to a bottle just to compare it against the later batches.

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Signed by one of the distillery's well-known faces, and built on a higher share of first-fill bourbon casks than its predecessors.

Expert Review

Ardbeg 19 Year Old Traigh Bhan Batch 4 is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in American oak and Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 46.2%.

No two Traigh Bhan batches are alike, and Batch 4 stands out with a silkier character thanks to a higher share of first-fill bourbon casks working alongside the sherry casks. Every batch carries its own batch number and the signature of one of the distillery's well-known faces, in this case Colin Gordon.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Faint hints of sweet smoky wood and crème fraîche develop into bold notes of fennel, celery and toasted tea.

Palate

A salty mouthfeel turns into soft herbal notes, followed by salted peanuts, smoked pineapple and lime juice, as waves of aniseed roll across the palate.

Finish

An intense finish of caramel and smoke breaks through after the milder middle notes.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg 19 Year Old Traigh Bhan Batch 4
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 19 years
ABV: 46.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak (first-fill) and Oloroso sherry casks
Edition: Batch 4
EAN no.: 5010494975574

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Sherry-matured · Herbal · Salty

Did You Know?

Every Traigh Bhan batch carries the signature of one of Ardbeg's well-known staff members, and Batch 4 is signed by Colin Gordon as a personal mark on this particular batch.

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A small whitewashed warehouse on the Islay shore, salt in the air, and a batch that exists only until the next one takes its place.

Expert Review

Ardbeg 19 Year Old Traigh Bhan Batch 5 is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in American oak and Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 46.2%.

Traigh Bhan means white beach, named after the small bay just below the distillery. The series is released in a new batch every year, and each one is its own irreplaceable blend that disappears from the shelf once the next arrives. Batch 5 brings together casks that give the whisky a depth not always found in Ardbeg's more widely available releases, without losing the distillery's trademark backbone of peat and smoke.

The whisky is non-chill filtered, so everything the casks gave it along the way is still in the glass.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Green peppers and a hint of smoked mango open things up, quickly followed by guava and a sweet whiff of maple syrup over crisp bacon.

Palate

Peat arrives first, warm and earthy, before the sherry casks unfold with dark fruit and a lightly salted caramel.

Finish

Long and smoky, with a finish of toasted nuts and a last trace of sea salt.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg 19 Year Old Traigh Bhan Batch 5
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 19 years
ABV: 46.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak and Oloroso sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Edition: Batch 5
EAN no.: 5010494980943

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Sherry-matured · Fruity · Salty

Did You Know?

Traigh Bhan takes its name from a small white beach right below the distillery, a name mostly known only to the locals.

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An independent bottling from one of the whisky world's oldest and most respected bottlers, a world apart from Ardbeg's own labels.

Expert Review

Ardbeg 1994/2004 Connoisseurs Choice 10 Year Old is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled by Gordon & MacPhail at 40%.

Connoisseurs Choice is Gordon & MacPhail's classic series of independent bottlings, where the whisky is distilled at the named distillery but selected and bottled by the bottler itself. This release was distilled in 1994 and bottled in 2004 after 10 years of maturation, giving a different expression than Ardbeg's own official releases.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Classic Islay peat at a calmer, more restrained pace than the more powerful official bottlings, with a light maritime freshness.

Palate

Gentle smoke and peat balanced by a dry, malt-forward sweetness, characteristic of Gordon & MacPhail's style.

Finish

Mild and dry, with a lingering smoky finish.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg 1994/2004 Connoisseurs Choice
Distillery: Ardbeg
Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Distilled: 1994
Bottled: 2004
Edition: Connoisseurs Choice
EAN no.: 5020613151321

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Malty · Mild · Classic

Did You Know?

Gordon & MacPhail started as a grocery shop in Elgin in 1895 and is today one of Scotland's oldest and most respected independent bottlers, with warehouses stretching back decades.

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Named after Islay's south-western tip, where the sea meets the peated hills.

Expert description

Ardbeg An Oa Single Islay Malt Whisky is composed in the distillery's purpose-built 'Gathering Room' vat, where whisky from different cask types — including ex-bourbon, new oak and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks — is blended before bottling, bottled at 46.6%. Ardbeg Distillery was founded in 1815 on Islay's south coast and is known as one of the island's most heavily peated producers, today owned by Moët Hennessy.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is smoky with tar, dark fruit and a hint of spice.

Palate

The palate offers smoke, caramel and a full sweetness.

Finish

The finish is long, smoky and warm.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg An Oa Single Islay Malt Whisky
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Single Islay Malt Whisky
ABV: 46.6%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour profile

Smoky · Tarry · Full-bodied · Warm

Did you know?

The name 'An Oa' refers to the Mull of Oa, the south-westernmost tip of Islay, visible from the distillery.

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A pirate with no bottle in hand, and that absence alone is the whole reason collectors chase this release.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Arrrrrrrdbeg! Committee Release French Label is an Islay Single Malt Whisky matured in used rye casks and bottled at cask strength, 51.8%.

The release was created to honour outgoing Distillery Manager Mickey Heads, who left the role after 13 years at Ardbeg. This "French Label" version is distinguished by the pirate on the label holding no bottle of Ardbeg, unlike the original release, which has made this particular variant especially sought-after among Ardbeg collectors.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Spiced rye and peat meet a dry, almost peppery sharpness from the rye casks.

Palate

Full cask strength gives an intense, spiced structure, where smoke and rye grain take the lead.

Finish

Long and dry, with lasting spice and smoke that stay on the palate.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Arrrrrrrdbeg! Committee Release – French Label
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 51.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Used rye casks
Edition: French Label, cask strength

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Spiced · Rye-driven · Cask strength

Did You Know?

The original label shows a pirate holding a bottle of Ardbeg, while this French variant was released without the bottle, a single detail that alone turned it into a sought-after collector's edition.

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The pirate holds the bottle on this one, the original, and the version that came first of the two.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Arrrrrrrdbeg! Committee Release is an Islay Single Malt Whisky matured in used rye casks and bottled at cask strength, 51.8%.

The release was created to honour outgoing Distillery Manager Mickey Heads, who left the role after 13 years at Ardbeg. This is the original Committee Release label, where the pirate on the front holds a bottle of Ardbeg in hand.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Spiced rye and peat in close interplay, with a dry sharpness from the rye casks.

Palate

Full cask strength gives an intense, spiced structure, with smoke and rye grain dominating.

Finish

Long and dry, with lasting spice and a smoky finish.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Arrrrrrrdbeg! Committee Release
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 51.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Used rye casks
Edition: Committee Release, cask strength

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Spiced · Rye-driven · Cask strength

Did You Know?

This release is the original Committee Release label, with the pirate holding a bottle of Ardbeg in hand, unlike the later French Label variant where the bottle is left out.

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Named after one of the world's most notorious whirlpools, and just as violent and untamed in the glass as the current is at the coast.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Corryvreckan is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in French oak and ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 57.1%.

The name comes from the Corryvreckan whirlpool north of Islay, a natural phenomenon that mirrors the whisky's raw power. It's neither chill filtered nor coloured, letting the full cask strength show through from the first sip to the last.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Bold black coffee meets dense, rich dark chocolate tones, with sweet autumn fruit like blackcurrant and cherry in the background.

Palate

Elegant, softly spiced oak ties it all together with heavy peat and a touch of salt that bites gently on the tongue.

Finish

Long, with a lingering salty edge that stays with you well after each sip.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 57.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: French oak and ex-bourbon casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
EAN no.: 5010494296280

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Salty · Spiced · Cask strength

Did You Know?

The Corryvreckan whirlpool the whisky is named after is considered one of the third largest tidal whirlpools in the world and can be heard for miles when it's at its wildest.

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An older release of Corryvreckan, pulled from the shelf storeroom, carrying the character only years on a shelf can give a label.

Note: This 2009 release has been pulled from Whisky.dk's own storeroom and carries bottle code L9 231 12:21 6ML, along with minor wear on the box and a yellow duty seal.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Corryvreckan Old Version 2009 is an Islay Single Malt Whisky matured in ex-bourbon and French oak casks and bottled at 57.1%.

The name Corryvreckan comes from the mythical whirlpool north of Islay, a natural phenomenon reflecting the whisky's raw power and depth. Non-chill filtered, it retains its natural oils and full flavour richness.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Bold notes of tar, creosote and linseed oil meet dark fruit such as blackcurrant and cherry.

Palate

Spiced meat, espresso and dark chocolate are balanced by a splash of sea salt and aromatic spices like star anise and cloves.

Finish

Long, smoky and spiced, with notes of coffee and chocolate-covered cherries.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Corryvreckan Old Version 2009
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 57.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon and French oak casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
EAN no.: 5010494296280

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Salty · Spiced · Cask strength

Did You Know?

This bottle has been pulled from Whisky.dk's own storeroom and has therefore sat untouched for many years, giving the box natural wear while the whisky inside remains unaffected.

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There's something sun-drenched about Islay's cliffs this year. Ardbeg has brought a taste of Sicily home to its rugged, windswept coast, and the result looks like an old Italian film poster painted in smoke, orange peel and sunlight.

Expert's Description

Ardbeg Dolce Islay is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in bourbon casks and Marsala Dolce casks and bottled at 47.8%.

This is Ardbeg's official release for Ardbeg Day 2026, the distillery's annual celebration during Fèis Ìle on Islay, built this year around the theme "La Dolce Vita" — a nod to the glamour of 1960s Italian cinema. The whisky brings together malt matured in Marsala Dolce casks, the sweetest style of Sicilian fortified wine, with classic bourbon cask-matured Ardbeg. The Marsala casks add a deep, dry sweetness of dried fruit and a slightly oxidative edge, while the bourbon casks keep the distillery's usual citrus brightness and smoke intact. It's a limited release, only available while stocks last.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Ripe apricot and raisins meet orange marmalade, with a hint of roasted almonds and a distant, smoky peat in the background.

Palate

Dark chocolate and roasted nuts sit on top of Ardbeg's signature smoke, while the Marsala casks add a sweet, almost wine-like depth.

Finish

Long and smoky, with a trailing note of applewood smoke and a last touch of sweet fruit.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Dolce Islay
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Scotland, Islay
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 47.8%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Bourbon casks and Marsala Dolce casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: Ardbeg Day 2026 "Cue The Smoke"
EAN no.: 5010494999860

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Fruity · Sweet · Nutty · Spiced

Investment Potential

Medium-high. Ardbeg Day releases are among the most sought-after in the whisky world, often sold with a strict per-customer limit, and past releases like Smokiverse and the Anthology series have risen markedly in value since going out of stock.

Did You Know?

Ardbeg Day always falls on the last Saturday of Fèis Ìle, Islay's annual whisky and music festival — and in 2026 the whole celebration is built around a film-reel motif on the label, a nod to the 1960s cinema theme.

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A distillery's rebirth told in a single glass, the culmination of a journey that began with a shuttered distillery and ended in one of Islay's most loved names.

Note: There is minor wear on the box.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Renaissance 1998/2008 is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky distilled in 1998, bottled in 2008 after 10 years of maturation in ex-bourbon casks, non-chill filtered at cask strength, 55.9%.

The whisky marks the distillery's rebirth following its reopening in the late 1990s and was released as the culmination of the "Path to Peaty Maturity" series. Today it stands as a collector favourite and an icon of modern Ardbeg history.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Bold smoke meets a fresh sea breeze, citrus and spiced sweetness from the bourbon casks.

Palate

Full and complex with layers of peat, pepper, salted caramel and ripe fruit.

Finish

Long, lingering and intense, with a finely tuned balance of smoke, spice and sweetness.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Renaissance
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 55.9%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Distilled: 1998
Bottled: 2008
Edition: Path to Peaty Maturity – Renaissance
EAN no.: 5010494294286

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Salty · Spiced · Fruity

Investment Potential

Medium. As the culmination of a historically important series for Ardbeg, at cask strength and non-chill filtered, Renaissance is regarded by many as one of the most significant releases in the distillery's modern history.

Did You Know?

Renaissance was the final and most anticipated release in the "Path to Peaty Maturity" series, which followed Ardbeg's whisky year by year from the reopening until it reached its full potential.

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Californian sunshine and Scottish peat meet in one glass, as if Ardbeg took a detour through Napa Valley on the way home to Islay.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Smoketrails Napa Valley Edition is an Islay Single Malt Whisky matured in ex-bourbon and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon red wine casks and bottled at 46%.

The bottle belongs to the Smoketrails series, where Ardbeg travels the globe for casks that have never before touched a drop of Scotch whisky and lets them enter a dialogue with the distillery's peat smoke. This time it's the bold red wine casks from Napa Valley leaving their mark, in the current Batch US/NV 2024/03.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dark berries and intense peat smoke mingle with a hint of spice and a light winey sweetness from the red wine casks.

Palate

Rich and well balanced, where peat smoke meets ripe fruit, oak and a gentle sweetness from the wine.

Finish

Long and lingering, with an elegant combination of smoke and tannin that leaves a rounded finish.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Smoketrails Napa Valley Edition
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 100 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon casks and Cabernet Sauvignon red wine casks
Edition: Batch US/NV 2024/03
EAN no.: 5010494991598

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Fruity · Winey · Spiced

Did You Know?

The Smoketrails series is Ardbeg's travel diary in a bottle, with every release drawing on casks from a new corner of the world, and the Napa Valley edition is the first to use American red wine casks.

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A universe of smoke, where the peat doesn't just fill the glass but the whole room around it.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Smokiverse is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 48.3%.

The nose delivers an explosion of fruity esters reminiscent of smoked bubblegum, mixed with ripening barley and toasted sourdough. The whisky is non-chill filtered, so its full, oily structure carries right through to the glass.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dense, sweet peat smoke mingles with lightly smoked tropical fruit, and a drop of water draws the aromas out even further.

Palate

Rich and creamy with a luxurious mouthfeel that shifts into sharp, sooty, spiced notes of creosote, aniseed and cloves, balanced by muscovado sugar.

Finish

Almost endless, leaving a lasting impression of earthy peat moss melting into glowing bonfire embers.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Smokiverse
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 48.3%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
EAN no.: 5010494995305

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Spiced · Creamy · Fruity

Did You Know?

The name Smokiverse is Ardbeg's own way of suggesting that the distillery's smoke spans a whole universe of nuance, from sweet to sooty, all within a single dram.

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Lavender and incense on an otherwise unforgiving Islay coastline, as if the distillery has for once thrown open the chapel door and let something entirely new inside.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Spectacular is an Islay Single Malt Whisky matured in ex-bourbon and port casks and bottled at 46%.

The bottle was released as Ardbeg's official Ardbeg Day whisky, and for the first time ever the distillery let part of the spirit mature entirely in casks that previously held port wine. The rest rested in ex-bourbon casks, and the two are married together so the fruit sweetness of the port can speak alongside Ardbeg's usual peat and smoke without drowning it out. The whisky is neither chill filtered nor coloured.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Lavender and incense candles mingle with a rich, almond-like nuttiness, while damp peat and woodsmoke sit as a deep base underneath.

Palate

Sweet leather and dark chocolate meet a cool, almost minty freshness, before the soft port fruit steps forward.

Finish

Salted caramel and ripe pear in a long, smoky finish that never turns too sweet.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Spectacular
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon and port casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Fruity · Creamy · Floral

Did You Know?

Spectacular is the first release in Ardbeg's history matured entirely in port casks, and it was celebrated as the year's big reveal on Ardbeg Day itself.

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Eight years on cask, yet far from tame, a whisky that insists on staying young and untamed.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Still Young 1998/2006 is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky distilled in 1998, bottled in 2006 after 8 years of maturation, non-chill filtered at 56.2%.

The name Still Young is the distillery's own comment on the fact that, despite its age, the whisky still behaves like a young, raw Ardbeg, with all the intensity that entails.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Raw peat and a distinct youthful sharpness, underpinned by a light sweetness from the casks.

Palate

Intense smoke and a marked phenolic edge, direct and uncompromising in the style of the distillery's younger releases.

Finish

Long and smoky, with a lasting dryness that ties it all together.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Still Young
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 8 years
ABV: 56.2%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Distilled: 1998
Bottled: 2006
Edition: Still Young
EAN no.: 5010494277630

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Young and raw · Cask strength-led · Intense

Investment Potential

Medium. As a discontinued vintage bottling from the late 1990s, non-chill filtered and at high strength, Still Young typically appeals to collectors following Ardbeg's early vintages after the 1997 reopening.

Did You Know?

The name Still Young is the distillery's way of underlining that, even after 8 years on cask, the whisky insists on tasting young, raw and untamed.

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Named after a stellar explosion, and just as violent, a whisky that once pushed the limits of how peated an Islay single malt could get.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Supernova SN 2015 Committee Release is an Islay Single Malt Whisky bottled in 2015 at 54.3%.

The Supernova series was Ardbeg's answer to the question of just how peated a single malt could become, and this 2015 release was a Committee Exclusive reserved for the distillery's fan community.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Surprisingly floral, with fresh pine, sweet golden syrup and a hint of medicinal peat carrying a touch of youth without becoming overpowering.

Palate

Smoky, with an abundance of coal dust, more freshly sawn pine, a sweet candy floss note, melted butter and white pepper in an extremely peated whole.

Finish

A lingering dryness coats the tongue, with dusty embers from a bonfire leaving their mark.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Supernova SN 2015
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 54.3%
Size: 70 CL
Bottled: 2015
Edition: Committee Release
EAN no.: 5010494928303

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Extremely peated · Floral · Sweet

Investment Potential

High. The Supernova series holds a reputation as among the most heavily peated single malts ever bottled, and as a 2015 Committee Exclusive this release is sought after by collectors of extreme Islay bottlings.

Did You Know?

The Supernova series was originally created as a direct challenge to make the most heavily peated whisky Ardbeg had ever produced, with a phenol content far above the distillery's permanent releases.

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The scent of an ashtray, a whisky guru who can't help but praise it, and the bottle most Islay lovers eventually come back to.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Ten The Ultimate is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured for 10 years and bottled at 46%.

The peaty aroma signals a high phenol content, and the pronounced ashtray character is part of what has made this particular 10-year-old one of the most praised entry-level single malts on the market. The whisky is non-chill filtered and carries a ppm content of 50-55, keeping it close to the distillery's raw starting point.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Clean and smoky with a hint of citrus freshness, with barbecue notes lying just beneath the surface.

Palate

Iodine, salt, spice and liquorice in a heavy, intense smoke carried by an underlying sweetness.

Finish

Marked by peat, smoke and sweetness, powerful and with good length.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Ten The Ultimate
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Edition: The Ultimate
EAN no.: 5010494195286

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Salty · Spiced · Citrus-fresh

Did You Know?

Many Islay connoisseurs point to Ardbeg Ten as the 10-year-old that best shows what the distillery is about, without needing to pay for a limited edition batch.

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21 years on cask and only 8,268 bottles in the world, an age Ardbeg rarely puts on display.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Twenty One 21 Year Old Committee Release 2016 is an Islay Single Malt Whisky distilled in spring 1995, bottled in 2016 after 21 years of maturation, at 46%.

The release is a Committee Release, reserved for members of Ardbeg's own fan community, and is among the oldest vintage bottles the distillery has ever released at this scale.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Restrained, mature peat alongside a soft sweetness that only truly shows after so many years on cask.

Palate

Rounded and well balanced, where the classic Ardbeg smoke has been smoothed by decades of maturation without losing its identity.

Finish

Long and elegant, with a lasting smoky warmth that speaks to the age.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Twenty One
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
Age: 21 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Distilled: Spring 1995
Bottled: 2016
Number of bottles: 8,268 bottles
Edition: Committee Release 2016
EAN no.: 5010494934410

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Mature · Elegant · Rounded

Investment Potential

High. As one of Ardbeg's oldest releases, limited to 8,268 bottles and long sold out from the distillery, Twenty One is regarded as one of the most sought-after bottles among Ardbeg collectors.

Did You Know?

Ardbeg won "World Whisky of the Year" two years running in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible, a recognition that cemented the distillery's status in the very years this 21-year-old was bottled.

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Named after the loch the distillery draws its water from, and just as dark and pulling as the name suggests.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Uigeadail is an Islay Single Malt Whisky matured in ex-bourbon and sherry casks and bottled at 54.2%.

The name is pronounced "Oog-a-dal" and comes from the loch where Ardbeg draws its water, a direct nod to the island's rugged nature. The whisky is non-chill filtered and unadulterated with colour, preserving the full depth from both the bourbon and sherry casks.

Uigeadail has won several international awards and is regarded by many as one of the most complete releases in Ardbeg's range, precisely because it unites the distillery's peat smoke with a deep sherry sweetness without losing balance.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Tar, burnt wood and maritime notes meet dried fruit, honey and warm spice from the sherry casks.

Palate

Bold and complex, where smoky tar, burnt sugar and dark chocolate play alongside raisins and spice.

Finish

Long and warm, with a deep and satisfying finish that ties smoke and sweetness together.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Uigeadail
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 54.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon and sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
EAN no.: 5010494220278

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Sherry-matured · Maritime · Spiced

Did You Know?

Uigeadail has scored as high as 97.5 points in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible, one of the highest ratings any Ardbeg release has received.

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Just 6 years old and already named for exactly what it is, a whisky that makes no secret of its youth.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Very Young 1998/2004 is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky distilled in 1998, bottled in 2004 after 6 years of maturation, non-chill filtered at 58.3%.

Very Young was part of the same vintage series as Still Young and Renaissance, where Ardbeg tracked its own whisky through the maturation process after the 1997 reopening, letting the name of each release reflect how far the whisky had come.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Raw, direct peat with a sharp, youthful intensity and a hint of fresh citrus.

Palate

Powerful smoke and a marked phenolic edge, uncompromising and direct in style.

Finish

Long and dry, with a lasting smoky sharpness underlining the whisky's young origins.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Very Young
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 6 years
ABV: 58.3%
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Distilled: 1998
Bottled: 2004
Edition: Very Young
EAN no.: 5010494222265

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Young and raw · Cask strength-led · Citrus-fresh

Investment Potential

Medium. As the youngest release in Ardbeg's vintage series from the reopening years, at high cask strength and long sold out, Very Young appeals to collectors wanting the full line-up from Very Young through Still Young to Renaissance.

Did You Know?

Very Young, Still Young and Renaissance together form a unique series where Ardbeg let the names tell the story of how the whisky evolved from young and raw to fully mature, year by year.

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A small, untamed beast with sharp teeth, far younger and far wilder than its bigger siblings on the shelf.

Expert Review

Ardbeg Wee Beastie is an Islay Single Malt Whisky matured for 5 years in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 47.4%.

With its young age, Wee Beastie is completely untamed in its smoky character, without the rounding-off that extra years of maturation would otherwise bring. That makes it the most uncompromising and direct introduction to Ardbeg's style, carrying a ppm content of 50-55.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fresh and herbal with vanilla, pears, freshly ground black pepper and honey-glazed ham, plus a hint of resin.

Palate

Full and explosive with plenty of chocolate, tar and smoked bacon, followed by eucalyptus and aniseed.

Finish

Long and salted, with notes of cocoa, cream caramel and salted meat.

Specifications

Name: Ardbeg Wee Beastie
Distillery: Ardbeg
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Whisky
Age: 5 years
ABV: 47.4%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks
EAN no.: 5010494961577

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Spiced · Salty · Young and wild

Did You Know?

Wee Beastie is the youngest permanent release in Ardbeg's range, often used by the distillery to show just how raw and direct the style is before the casks smooth off the edges.

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Ardlair is not a distillery. It is a name Ardmore uses when the smoke stays at home, the unpeated half of the house, named after a stone circle out in the surrounding landscape. Here it has spent eleven years in a sherry cask at 62.5%.

The Expert's Description

Ardlair 2011/2023 Signatory Vintage 11 Years Old is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a refill Oloroso Sherry Butt and bottled at 62.5% cask strength. Cask 900032 was distilled on 27 January 2011 and bottled on 11 January 2023 in Signatory's Cask Strength Collection, giving 597 bottles.

Ardmore is one of the few Highland distilleries with peat smoke as a core style, and Ardlair is the name given to the unpeated production. Without the smoke the spirit’s own fruitiness and malt sweetness step forward more clearly, which makes the whisky far more receptive to a sherry cask.

That the cask is refill rather than first fill matters here. A refill Oloroso Butt gives up less colour and less tannin, so the sherry settles as a layer on top instead of taking over. The whisky is bottled without filtration and without added colour.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Raisins and figs first, with roasted nuts and honey behind. There is dried ginger and spice in it, and beneath the sherry sits a bright apple fruitiness that tells you the spirit is unpeated.

Palate

Dark chocolate and walnut open, followed by sweet sherry and spiced oak. The vanilla arrives late. At 62.5% the concentration is considerable, and the whisky takes water well, turning rounder rather than thinner.

Finish

Long and warming with persistent sherry sweetness and elegant oak tannins that let go slowly.

Specifications

Name: Ardlair 2011/2023 Signatory Vintage 11 Years Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 62.5%
Distillery: Ardmore
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 11 years
ABV: 62.5%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill Oloroso Sherry Butt, cask no. 900032
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 27 January 2011
Bottled: 11 January 2023
Number of bottles: 597
Edition: Cask Strength Collection
EAN no.: 5021944121526

Flavour Profile

Sherry Matured · Nutty · Spiced · Fruity · Cask Strength · Honeyed

Did You Know?

Ardlair is named after a stone circle near the distillery. Ardmore itself was built in 1898 by Adam Teacher to secure malt for the family blend, Teacher's Highland Cream, and the house has made peated whisky ever since. Ardlair is the exception, the half that never sees peat.

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Two casks filled on the same day, in the same warehouse, with the same spirit. One was emptied in January, the other in March. Fourteen months and four digits separate them, and they do not taste alike. That is exactly why single casks are interesting.

The Expert's Description

Ardlair 2011/2023 Signatory Vintage 12 Years Old is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a refill Oloroso Sherry Butt and bottled at 63.4% cask strength. Cask 900028 was distilled on 27 January 2011 and bottled on 8 March 2023, giving 622 bottles in Signatory's Cask Strength Collection.

Ardlair is the Ardmore distillery’s unpeated whisky, and because there is no smoke to contend with, the cask can work directly on the spirit’s fruitiness. The refill sherry cask gives a complex, fruity profile without drowning the spirit’s own character, and that balance is the whole point of a refill cask over a first fill.

The whisky is bottled without chill filtration and with natural colour. Ardmore sits at Kennethmont in Aberdeenshire and has been running since 1898.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fresh apples first, then pistachios and burnt almonds. A dry sherry note sits behind, along with a light salted caramel sweetness that ties it together. At 63.4% the alcohol is obvious, so give the glass a little time.

Palate

Creamy in texture despite the strength. Dried fruit and nuts open, then salted caramel and a clear sherry character with spiced oak underneath. The whisky is powerful, yet it has finesse enough not to be merely power.

Finish

Long and persistent. Nuts, dried fruit and a dry oak close, where the sherry lets go last.

Specifications

Name: Ardlair 2011/2023 Signatory Vintage 12 Years Old Sherry Butt Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 63.4%
Distillery: Ardmore
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 63.4%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill Oloroso Sherry Butt, cask no. 900028
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 27 January 2011
Bottled: 8 March 2023
Number of bottles: 622
Edition: Cask Strength Collection

Flavour Profile

Sherry Matured · Nutty · Fruity · Creamy · Cask Strength · Spiced

Did You Know?

Ardmore makes medium peated whisky at around 12 to 14 ppm, which is low compared with Islay but unusual for a Highland distillery. It is one of very few in the region where peat smoke is the core style rather than a side project. Ardlair is the part of the production where the peat is left out.

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The cask arrived leaking. Ten kilos of whisky had gone somewhere along the way, and most people would have written it off. Little Brown Dog poured what was left into a smaller cask instead, and later gave it a spell in a cognac barrique over thirty years old. Sometimes the best thing comes out of something that went wrong.

The Expert's Description

Ardlair 2014 Little Brown Dog 12 Years Old is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a refill bourbon barrel and finished in a cognac barrique over thirty years old, bottled at 52.6%. It was distilled on 22 February 2014 and bottled on 23 February 2026, twelve years and a day.

The cask history is anything but straightforward. It arrived partly leaking and had already lost around ten kilos in transit, so the whisky was decanted into a smaller refill bourbon barrel. In December 2024 it was then given an extra finish in the cognac cask to lift the fruitiness without drowning the spirit.

The cognac cask was used with a light hand. The oily, lightly spiced Highland style still stands at the centre, while the vinous sweetness supports and refines it. Ardlair is the Ardmore distillery’s unpeated whisky, and at Little Brown Dog it goes by the in-house nickname Ardless.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The colour is a warm waxy gold. On the nose muscovado sugar, glazed carrots and a yoghurt with hedgerow berries, a fruit profile at once rustic and creamy. A lightly spiced oak note sits beneath it.

Palate

Oily and full. Dark syrupy sweetness opens, then a lightly spiced warmth and a vinous fruitiness from the cognac barrique. The whisky opens up markedly with a drop of water, where both fruit and spice step forward more plainly.

Finish

Medium to long. Spiced oak, dark fruit and a dry waxy close that holds on.

Specifications

Name: Ardlair 2014 Little Brown Dog 12 Years Old Cognac Cask Finish Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky 52.6%
Distillery: Ardmore
Bottler: Little Brown Dog
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 52.6%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill bourbon barrel, finished in a cognac barrique over 30 years old
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 22 February 2014
Bottled: 23 February 2026
Edition: Cognac Cask Finish

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Vinous · Spiced · Creamy · Cask Strength · Waxy

Investment Potential

Medium. The cask history makes this a one-off performance: a leaking cask, a decanting and a cognac finish from wood over thirty years old cannot be repeated. Little Brown Dog single casks also come in small outturns and have a loyal following.

Did You Know?

At Little Brown Dog, Ardlair goes by the in-house nickname Ardless, with a grin, because it lacks the smoke Ardmore is otherwise known for. It says something about the relaxed approach behind the company, which started in 2018 on a farm at Fetternear in Aberdeenshire and has since grown from pure bottling into distilling as well.

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A valinch is the copper tube you push into a cask to draw a sample. Two Italians named their company after that very tool, and after the mallet that knocks the bung loose. It says rather precisely what they do.

The Expert's Description

Ardmore 12 Years Old Valinch & Mallet 2009/2021 is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a Sherry Hogshead and bottled at 52.2%. Cask 706023 was distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2021, giving 338 bottles.

Ardmore makes peated whisky as its core style, which is unusual for a Highland distillery. The smoke sits at around 12 to 14 ppm, moderate compared with Islay but clear enough to give the whisky a dry earthy floor. Combined with a sherry cask it produces a profile where dark fruit and smoke pull in opposite directions.

A hogshead holds around 250 litres, so between a bourbon barrel and a sherry butt. It gives more wood contact per litre than a butt, which is why twelve years in a hogshead can travel further than twelve years in a larger cask. Valinch & Mallet was founded in 2015 by two Italian friends.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Raisins and dark orange first, with peat smoke as a dry undercarriage. Behind them come toasted malt, walnut and a hint of leather. The smoke is not maritime, it reads more like smouldering wood than sea air.

Palate

Full and in two halves. The sherry’s dried fruit and chocolate open, then the smoke enters from the side along with black pepper and a dry oak tannin. At 52.2% the concentration is good, and the two elements keep each other in check the whole way.

Finish

Long. Smoke, dark fruit and spiced oak leave together, with a dry ash note right at the end.

Specifications

Name: Ardmore 12 Years Old Valinch & Mallet 2009/2021 Single Highland Malt Whisky 52.2%
Distillery: Ardmore
Bottler: Valinch & Mallet
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 52.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Sherry Hogshead, cask no. 706023
Distilled: 2009
Bottled: 2021
Number of bottles: 338

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Sherry Matured · Dark Fruit · Spiced · Cask Strength · Nutty

Did You Know?

The word valinch describes the copper tube a warehouse manager pushes down through the bung hole to draw a sample, and a mallet is the wooden hammer that knocks the bung loose again. Valinch & Mallet have therefore named themselves after the two tools an independent bottler uses most, the ones in your hands when you decide whether a cask is good enough.

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