Ardbeg Spectacular Scotch Review (2024)

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B+

Scotch whisky is a drink that invites some serious nerdom, arguably more so than bourbon whiskey. The first serious division of camps in enthusiasm for Scotch are between those who love Sherried whiskies and those who are devoted to peated whiskies. Among the latter, the focus is overwhelmingly places on whiskies from the island of Islay, where each distillery has its own fandom. In that small class of single malts, the zeal of Ardbeg’s fandom is rivaled by few and eclipsed by none.

Thus, a true following looks forward to Ardbeg Day 2024, held on the last day of the Feis Ile festival, which this year lands on June 1st. Ardbeg Day is also preceded by the release of the annual Ardbeg Spectacular, which this year went on sale in the US last week. In a first for Ardbeg, the distillery prepared this single malt, themed “Dark Circus,” by drawing on stock matured in Port wine casks, and then married that stock in ex-bourbon barrels.

The Scotch
My pour of Ardbeg Spectacular 2024 turned golden in the Glencairn glass. The nose leads with charred, creosote-tinged wood, with a layer of lavender, cinnamon and honey underneath.

That lavender note is the strongest delivery from the Port maturation, because the palate loses it. The flavor runs with ash, honey, cinnamon and a touch of eucalyptus, with a dash of pepper rising on the back end. I looked and looked, but didn’t pick up on anything saline or Porty in the flavor profile. That isn’t a bad thing, mind you, but it does signal that the influence of the billed Port wood is limited and some really do adore the salt note of a coastal or island-aged malt.

I found the finish was light, but lingering. It opened a little ashy, spicy and sweet all at the same time, but it’s only that light dusting of ash that continues on.

The Price
Officially, this is going for $130.