ARDBEG FUSES SICILIAN SWEET WITH ISLAY PEAT FOR LIMITED-EDITION ARDBEG DAY RELEASE

< Whisky matured in Marsala dolce casks invites fans to experience the taste of la dolce vita… Islay-style >

Held annually on the final Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt (Fèis Ìle), Ardbeg Day is a global celebration of all things Ardbeg. This year on Saturday 30^th May, smoky malt lovers will embrace la dolce vita (the sweet life) Islay-style. At the Distillery and events worldwide, in tribute to Ardbeg Dolce fans will rekindle the glamour of 1960s Italian cinema with an Ardbeggian twist. This limited edition has a heart aged in Marsala dolce casks, for a dramatic fusion of Sicilian sweet and Islay peat.

Ardbeg Dolce combines rare malt matured in Marsala dolce casks (the sweetest style of Sicily’s fortified wine), with classic bourbon cask-matured Ardbeg. The whisky turns up the volume on Ardbeg’s “peaty paradox” – its trademark balance of sweetness and smoke. In Ardbeg Dolce, aromas of sun-ripened oranges and apricots set the scene. Flavours of dark chocolate star alongside olive groves, then cut to soft smoke and salted nuts.

On Ardbeg Day, the Distillery – and at Committee events around the world – will celebrate the whisky’s union of flavours by reimagining la dolce vita through an Ardbeggian lens. Drawing on the iconic style of Italian cinema in the 1960s, events will blend Mediterranean glamour with the rugged authenticity of Islay. Committee members and their friends will taste Italian delicacies with Islay hints, taste the limited edition, play retro games and dance to medleys of Mediterranean street music and Scottish folk.

Gillian Macdonald, Master Blender and Co-Chair of the Ardbeg Committee, said: “Uniting whisky matured in Marsala dolce casks and classic Ardbeg, Ardbeg Dolce is a dramatic blend of Mediterranean sweetness and Islay peat. Sweet notes of apricot, marmalade and dark chocolate rub shoulders with salty, smoky flavours and roasted nutty tones. Enjoy this limited edition in a Sicilian courtyard, on rain-drenched Scottish island or wherever you are. We think it’ll be an instant classic.”

Bryony McNiven, Distillery Manager and Committee Co-Chair, said: “For smoky malt lovers, life doesn’t get much sweeter than on Ardbeg Day. And this year, we’re celebrating the sweet life Islay-style. It’s time to dial up the 1960s spirit and enjoy ‘la dolce Islay’!”

Ardbeg Dolce will be available to buy worldwide from Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists, online retailers, and from the Distillery Visitor Centre.  Ardbeg Committee members will be given the opportunity to purchase the bottling on www.ardbeg.com on the 26^th May, four days before its official release from 30^th May, RRP: £85.

For more news on Ardbeg Day 2026 and all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at ardbeg.com/en-gb/committee

Ardbeg Dolce Tasting Notes:

ABV: 47.8%

Colour:         Sunset Orange

Aroma:        Rich and complex. The smoke is mellowed by bursts of apricot, plump raisins, sticky date and tangy stewed apple. Orange marmalade lifts it all with a citrusy brightness. A splash of water reveals the deeper, earthier layers: roasted mushrooms, pine needles, salted fish, capers and olives. An Islay pantry meets a Sicilian garden.

Taste:           Spices lead the way in cinnamon, star anise and a flicker of liquorice heat. Then the sweetness unfolds with maple-smoked wood, baked dates with walnuts, honeycomb and dark chocolate. Dried fruits follow close behind, wrapped in lemon rind and balanced by a savoury twist of salted nuts and dried herbs.

Finish:           The finish is long and layered, with smoked applewood, drying tobacco, bonfire embers and rich, chewy peat oils.

RRP: £85/ €99

Ardbeg

Ardbeg prides itself on being The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky. Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world as the peatiest, smokiest and most complex of all the Islay malts. Despite its smokiness, Ardbeg is renowned for its delicious sweetness, a phenomenon that has affectionately become known as ‘the peaty paradox’. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future, and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction. Since then, the Distillery has risen like a phoenix and today Ardbeg is well-established as a niche, cult malt, with a passionate following. Today, Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies. 

The Ardbeg Committee

The legacy of the whisky was safeguarded in 2000 by the formation of the Ardbeg Committee.  The Committee is made up of thousands of Ardbeg followers worldwide who are keen to ensure that “the doors of Ardbeg never close again”. Today there are more than 200,000 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 140 countries.  Committee Members are regularly consulted on new bottlings and expressions and are offered exclusive Committee bottlings. Members also receive invitations to special gatherings, tastings and events. The Committee, chaired by Master Blender Gillian Macdonald and Distillery Manager Bryony McNiven, is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards

Ardbeg is one of the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whiskies.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, then Distillery Manager Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’.  The following year, Ardbeg’s expressions took the top three spots in Whisky Advocate magazine’s review of the best single malt Scotch whiskies under US$100.  Meanwhile, both Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigeadail have been awarded gold medals at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg Ten Years Old also won the Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Year Old at the International Whisky Competition 2019, while the Ardbeg Distillery won the Distillery of the Year 2019. In 2020, the International Whisky Competition awarded Ardbeg Corryvreckan first place for Best Single Malt Scotch, Best Single Malt Scotch (No Age Statement), Best cask Strength (Over 57% ABV), Best Peated Scotch and Best Islay Single Malt. Ardbeg Wee Beastie also earned first place for Best Single Malt Scotch Under 10 Year Old and The Ardbeg Distillery achieved another Distillery of the Year award. In 2021, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the fifth time, and Ardbeg Uigeadail won World Whisky of the Year in the International Whisky Competition. In 2022, at the International Whisky Competition, Ardbeg was awarded The Distillery of the Year Award, while Ardbeg Ardcore won first place in Best New Scotch Release, Best Peated Single Malt and Best Islay Single Malt. In 2023, Ardbeg was awarded four Gold and eight Silver medals at the International Spirits Competition, Silver in the International Wine & Spirits Competition and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Ardbeg 25 Years Old was named the World’s Best Scotch Whisky at the 2023 New York Wine Spirits Competition, and received a Platinum medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2025, Ardbeg was named Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year at the International Wine and Spirits Competition, while Ardbeg Wee Beastie was crowned Best Overall Scotch at the New York World Spirits Competition.

Sustainability

Ardbeg is dedicated to sustaining its island home and community. With a vision of enhancing Islay for future generations, Ardbeg has devoted itself to restoring parts of the island’s precious peatland – a vital habitat for wildlife and a key carbon store. Working with the landowner, Ardbeg has begun transforming Kintour peat moor near the Distillery, cut for use in Ardbeg’s maltings decades ago. Ardbeg has also committed to a landmark conservation partnership with RSPB Scotland, Suntory Global Spirits and Diageo to restore 1,000 hectares of peatland in The Oa nature reserve. Over time, these projects aim to return Islay’s peatland to its native state, increasing biodiversity, helping mitigate against the effects of climate change and safeguarding the island’s natural heritage.

Meanwhile, Ardbeg has established the £1million Ardbeg All Islay Fund, which supports enterprising projects and organisations on the island. This five-year fund gives contributions to local sports clubs, musical and cultural organisations, helping to make Islay a better place to work and live. 

The Glenmorangie Company:

The Company is one of the most renowned and innovative distillers and marketers of Scotch whisky brands worldwide and is part of Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Company produces Glenmorangie Single Highland Malt whisky and Ardbeg Single Islay Malt.

Responsible Drinking:

Ardbeg and The Glenmorangie Company advocate responsible drinking and suggest that drinkers savour Ardbeg whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.