Ardbeg Corryvreckan

Profile: The Ardbeg Corryvreckan at a glance

• Ardbeg Corryvreckan: Whisky with a pull
• Cask strength: Bottled undiluted at 57.1% vol. - powerful and intense
• Non-chill-filtered: For maximum flavor and natural texture
• Strongly smoky: Typically Islay - with plenty of peat and maritime notes
• No age statement: The focus is on character, not numbers
• Named after the sea whirlpool: Wild, deep, and full of pull - just like the original

Portrait: What makes the Ardbeg Corryvreckan special

If the name Corryvreckan immediately brings to mind a difficult-to-pronounce Harry Potter spell, you're only half wrong. In truth, Corryvreckan is the Gaelic name for the largest sea whirlpool in Europe - located between the Scottish islands of Jura and Islay. And yes, you read that right: sea whirlpool. Not just any harmless whirlpool gyration, but a whirlpool that regularly thinks:“Today I'm going to swallow a boat.”

And it was precisely after this natural phenomenon that Ardbeg thought: "That's exactly what our whisky should be called." Why? Because subtlety was never the goal. Ardbeg, the cult distillery from the island of Islay, is known for presenting its whiskies with a mixture of smoke, myth, and a touch of madness. After all, anyone who drinks an Ardbeg shouldn't just take a sip - they should plunge into an epic drama. Without a safety vest.

Corryvreckan is the worthy successor to the legendary "Airigh Nam Beis," which roughly translates as "Lair of the Beast." The name alone suggests that this whisky will probably emerge from the cask with a wild look. Corryvreckan, on the other hand? It's just as wild, but creamier, more intense - and honestly, a bit like the "Beast" has a master's degree.

The Ardbeg distillery itself has been located on Islay since 1815, an island home to more sheep than people - and where peat practically fills the air. Anyone who visits the Ardbeg distillery can expect to not just drink a whisky, but embark on a kind of spiritual journey through storms, smoke, and dramatic rock formations. And all this before you've even poured the first dram.

In short: Ardbeg Corryvreckan isn't a whisky you drink - it's one you get sucked into. Like a whirlpool. With a kilt. And style.

A small note: Ardbeg Corryvreckan is bottled at cask strength (usually around 57% ABV) - a few drops of water can help draw even more aromas from the storm.

Tasting Notes: This is how the Ardbeg Corryvreckan tastes like

• Nose: Bold, intense, and wild - like a salty Atlantic breeze washing a peaty treasure ashore - thick smoky aromas rise to the nose, accompanied by black pepper, tar, iodine, and a hint of espresso - behind these lie deeper aromas of dark chocolate, blackberries, and a hint of bacon on wet seaweed - not for the faint of heart - or sensitive noses
• Palate: Powerful attack, almost explosive - like the maelstrom itself - peppery and oily, with a dense, almost creamy texture - Peat and smoke dominate, but underneath it all simmers: Dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans, a touch of licorice, and dark fruits like plums and blackcurrants – the cask strength provides plenty of punch, but with balance - nothing seems overloaded – everything has its dramatic stage
• Finish: Long, warming, and smoky – with an almost medicinal dryness. Pepper, oak spice, and a salty sea breeze linger for a long time, accompanied by dark cocoa and a hint of leather - a finish that doesn't want to go away – and leaves you wondering if you weren't caught in the whirlpool after all