NEW RELEASE ARDBEG TWENTY SOMETHING IS A VINTAGE FROM THE DISTILLERY’S DARKEST DAYS 

— This rare 22 Year Old whisky pays tribute to those visionaries who helped keep Ardbeg’s spirit alive. — 

In October of this year, whisky lovers will have the opportunity to experience the third release in Ardbeg’s exclusive Twenty Something collection – a superb 22 Year Old single malt bottled in honour of the handful of visionaries who helped keep the Distillery alive.

This is a whisky that was born during a time when the iconic Ardbeg Distillery name was almost consigned to the history books.  In the 1980s and 1990s, production at the Ardbeg Distillery slowed to a trickle and its future hung in the balance. However, while the stills were often empty and the filling store silent, a small number of casks were tucked away by a handful of whisky enthusiasts with the belief and vision to keep Ardbeg alive. A young Mickey Heads, now Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager, was among them.

Today, Ardbeg’s spirit endures thanks, in part, to the efforts of that small group of dreamers who believed in the Distillery. The loyal Ardbeg Committee, founded in 2000, also deserve recognition for their unwavering dedication to ensuring the doors of Ardbeg never close again. In honour of their support, it is Committee Members who will have the opportunity to experience Ardbeg Twenty Something, when a limited number of bottles go on sale in October 2018.

Mickey Heads, Ardbeg Distillery Manager, said: “A sense of immense pride, hope and a touch of idealism were key ingredients in this whisky. Created with spirit from the retired Still which now stands in the Distillery courtyard, this bottle is a magnificent reminder as to why Ardbeg should never be allowed to disappear. Ardbeg Twenty Something is for those who believed wholeheartedly in the Ardbeg Distillery, which is why it’s fitting that this rare whisky – a 22 Year Old – will be enjoyed by our loyal Committee Members, who maintain that same belief.”

Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks at Ardbeg, went on to say: “The ex-Bourbon casks I selected for Ardbeg Twenty Something have delivered a beautiful dram, bursting with deep tropical aromas. It offers an incredibly flavourful, silky quality which is exceptional. I can think of no better way to celebrate those whisky lovers who helped keep Ardbeg alive during its darkest days.”

Ardbeg Twenty Something 2018 release will be available exclusively to Committee Members through www.ardbeg.com launching on 4^th October, RRP: £440.

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NOTES: 

Tasting Notes:

Casks: Ex-Bourbon

Age:                22 Years Old

ABV:                 46.4%

Colour:            Pale gold

Nose:  Luscious tropical fruits give way to sweet smoke, soot and tar.

Taste:  At first, fresh green apple with a crumble topping. Notes of peppermint tea and sweet vanilla toffee flow into white pepper, clove, aniseed and eucalyptus oil. Then finally, some salty, woody tones.

Finish: A long lingering, mouth-watering sweet smoke finish.

RRP: £440 

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.

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 members of the Ardbeg Committee in over 130 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 Mickey Heads, is free to join at ardbeg.com.

Awards:

Ardbeg has been named ‘world whisky of the year’ more than any other smoky single malt.  Since 2008, Ardbeg has won more than 50 gold and double gold medals in key whisky competitions.  Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ twice by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible (2008, 2009) and has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013).  At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, 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.  Ardbeg was named ‘Distillery of the Year’ for 2018 at the IWC (International Whisky Competition). Meanwhile, Ardbeg Corryvreckan, Ardbeg Uigeadail and Ardbeg An Oa have been awarded gold medals at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

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 whisky.

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.