Ardbeg: "The reason why God gave us taste buds..."
At least that's what the famous whisky author Jim Murray thinks. And quite a few whisky lovers are inclined to agree with him. Because Ardbeg is the declared favorite of many whisky fans and peat heads. The heavily smoky and peaty Islay Single Malt is highly praised and almost cult-worshipped. Although or precisely because the earthy, smoky Islay whisky is anything but easily accessible.
Where lies Ardbeg? Ardbeg Distillery nestles in a bay on the south coast of the world famous whisky island of Islay. On Islay's south coast, Ardbeg completes the trio of legendary south coast single malts Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. The smokiest Scotch whiskys are made on Islay. Thus, Islay whisky has developed a large following worldwide and burned (or smoked) itself into the hearts of many whisky fans.
What does ardbeg mean? The literal translation of Ardbeg would be “little hill”.
3 reasons to love Ardbeg
1) Because no other whisky is deeper, more complex, more layered.
2) Because the distillery's Old Kiln Cafe has the tastiest homemade soups.
3) Because even marketing has style and loving wit.
How Aberlour Single Malt is made
Most of today's beautiful stone buildings, where Aberlour whisky is made, were built in 1892. The distillery is just a stone's throw from the River Spey, which owes its name to the legendary Speyside whisky region. However, the name Aberlour comes from the small river of the Lour. Literally translated, Aberlour means "mouth of the Lour", where the distillery is located. The source of Aberlour's clear water, St. Drozdan's Well, is said to have healing magic powers. Once you've visited the nearby Linn Falls, you too will believe it. Because this magically beautiful little waterfall once served as a place of worship for Celts and Druids. The Lour flows past the Standing Stones of Fairy Hill. Who wouldn't want this magical water in their whisky?
The water of the Lour River is used for the cooling systems of the stills. However, this returns untouched back into the river, because only pure spring water goes into the whisky itself. Fermentation takes place in six large stainless steel washbacks. Today, Aberlour distills the new make for the single malt whisky on four onion-shaped pot stills. The copper stills have no bulges. Aberlour Single Malt matures in both ex-bourbon casks and ex-sherry casks. The malty, fruity spirit works well with both American and European oak. In France, Aberlour is one of the best-selling malt whiskys. Aberlour Single Malt is also used in some blends, as in the Scotch Clan Campbell.
A bit of history about Ardbeg
Ardbeg was most likely founded in 1815 by John McDougall. Even then, the distillery was about 5 kilometers east of Port Ellen, not far from the historic "Kildalton Cross" on the south coast of Islay. The operation of the distillery has been documented without a doubt since 1817.
Ardbeg was family-owned until 1959. In 1977 the company was taken over by Hiram Walker (Allied Lyons) and operated by Allied Distillers, who closed it down in 1981. Ardbeg reopened in 1989, albeit without its own maltings, which supplied the malt until 1977 and traditionally had a strong influence on the malt's characteristic smoky note. Because the in-house malthouse lacked fans. The smoke from the peat fire therefore penetrated the malt particularly intensively.
Closed again in 1996, Ardbeg then went to McDonald & Muir (Glenmorangie, Glen Moray) in early 1997. That same year, the distillery resumed operations under then-manager Stuart Thomson and has been continuously active ever since. In October 2004, McDonald & Muir's successor company, Glenmorangie plc, was sold in its entirety to Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH).
How does Ardbeg whisky taste?
Ardbeg malts are what you might call "typically Islay". Peaty, smoky, earthy, iodine rich, rich, complex and full of sea air. In addition to the smoky aromas, Ardbeg Single Malts always have tangy citrus notes reminiscent of lemon or lime. So it's no coincidence that Ardbeg pairs perfectly with oysters and other seafood. Ardbeg's extreme character is both its strength and weakness. Because not everyone likes the rather special smoky-maritime style. The heavily peated malt comes from the Port-Ellen Maltings in the neighborhood.
Our Ardbeg recommendations:
The powerful Ardbeg Uigeadail with 54.2% is unspeakably delicious. Thanks to a high proportion of sherry casks, the Ardbeg Uigeadail combines the strong peat smoke with sweet notes of jam. An irresistible combination! We recommend the Ardbeg An Oa to beginners who shy away from the intensity of the 54.2%. In addition to the classic Ardbeg 10 years, the Ardbeg An Oa is the perfect entry-level variant, as it is not quite as extreme as its siblings.
Facts & figures about Ardbeg
Address: Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Argyll PA42 7EA
Founded: 1815 by John McDougall
Region: Islay Whisky
Owner: Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Smoke: Heavily peated/ heavily peated/ heavily smoky
Status: active
Capacity: approx. 2,100,000 liters
Stills: 2 wash stills (18,279 l), 2 spirit stills (16,957 l)
Washbacks: 8, Douglas Spruce
Mashtun: Semi Lauter, 5 tons
Water: Loch Uigeadail and Loch Airigh Nam Beist
Visitor Centre: Yes
Telephone: +44 (0)1496 302 244
Website: www.ardbeg.com
Directions to the Ardbeg Distillery
picture credits/ source of photos: Leon Schuster, Malt Mariners
