Ardbeg Ardbog

Volume: 700ml / ABV: 52.1%

Ardbeg Ardbog is a limited edition single malt Scotch whisky released by Ardbeg on June 1, 2013, as part of the Ardbeg Day celebrations during the Fèis Ìle whisky festival. This whisky is a tribute to the peat bogs of Islay, which play a crucial role in the production of Ardbeg whiskies. It is aged for ten years in a combination of American oak ex-bourbon barrels and Spanish oak Manzanilla sherry casks, and it is bottled at cask strength without chill filtration, maintaining an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 52.1%.

Tasting Note

Nose

The aroma is a complex blend of smoky peat, tree bark, coal tar, and sea spray, complemented by notes of orange vanilla fudge and nubuck leather. Adding water releases more fudge and herbal notes. Other descriptors include notes of fruit, red vermouth, saline, iodine, smoked meat, antiseptic, charred pastry, and a light toasted nuts note, with water enhancing the freshness and crispness.

Palate

On the palate, Ardbog presents a rich combination of peat and sweet flavors. It features notes of sherry, grilled fruit, salt, vermouth, smoked meat, and spice, with lighter hints of antiseptic, char, cocoa, and dark sweets. Water can bring out additional flavors of butterscotch and dark honey. Other tasting notes include coal tar, smoky peat, sea salt, sweet vanilla, liquorice, and clove, with water amplifying the honeyed and liquorice sweetness.

Finish

The finish is long and peat-driven, with lingering notes of smoky peat, cloves, sea salt, and a touch of sweet balsamic and maple syrup. It transitions to a sweet ashy character.