Ardbeg Takes A Classic And Makes It Cask Strength

The Ardbeg fanbase, as embodied by their official fan club, the Ardbeg Committee, has been petitioning for a cask strength version of the classic, entry-level run of the Ardbeg ladder–Ardbeg Ten— for more than two decades. This month Ardbeg Distillery has granted that petition.

Made on the famed Scottish island of Islay for more than 200 years, Ardbeg is one of the world’s smokiest, peatiest malt whiskies. A cask-strength edition of the classic ten year old has been ardently sought after since a highly limited (and even more highly coveted) release was shared in Japan in 2003. So recently, the Ardbeg production team, led by Dr. Bill Lumsden, hand-selected a few choice American oak bourbon casks, including some experimental barrels unusually filled with undiluted spirit. The result is an Ardbeg of incredible intensity. Bursting with rich aromas of tar and sea spray and smooth, sweet tastes, this rare edition of Ten is bottled at 61.7% ABV – the highest strength of any Committee Release to date.

Master Blender Gillian MacDonald said, “This cask-strength Ardbeg Ten is a momentous celebration of our Distillery’s classic style. Created by Dr Bill and myself from casks filled with new-make spirit at a higher-than-usual strength, it has all the flavors Committee members know and love, infused with a new intensity. Those who are lucky enough to lay their hands on a bottle will find aromas of toffee, tar, with classic notes of fennel and sea spray, and sweet sooty tastes of peat moss, malt and smoked cinnamon – amplified in an unforgettable dram. Slàinte to our Committee!”

Released especially for members of the Ardbeg Committee, this cask-strength edition of Ardbeg Ten will be available online and at select retail locations late  February.  For those intrepid enough to venture to the Distillery, there will be a small number of bottles ready to buy in person.