#Ardbeg #Islay #ArdbegAnthology #ArdbegTheUnicornsTale
EXPERIMENTAL WHISKY CROSSES MADEIRA CASKS’
SWEETNESS WITH ARDBEG’S CLASSIC SMOKE
< Aged 14 years, The Unicorn’s Tale is the second release
in Distillery’s Anthology Collection of rare and strange malts >
Ardbeg Islay single malt whisky today reveals a beguilingly sweet and smoky bottling – the second release in its Anthology Collection of rare and strange single malts. Ardbeg Anthology: The Unicorn’s Tale is Ardbeg’s first whisky matured in a marriage of Madeira wine casks and bourbon casks. Aged 14 years, this intriguing limited edition whisky takes smoky-malt lovers on a flavour-filled canter through powerful bursts of smoke, notes of banana, menthol and lime.
The Ardbeg Anthology Collection comprises unusual single malts from the Distillery, which cross classic Ardbeg with experimental stock for new flavour combinations. In homage to these whiskies’ outlandish “hybrid” style, each malt’s name and packaging are inspired by a different mythological creature, which some say they have glimpsed on Islay (although others are understandably sceptical…).
A dark horse of a dram, The Unicorn’s Tale fuses the tropical sweetness of whisky aged in Madeira casks with Ardbeg’s trademark zesty, smoky notes, resulting in a fruity, aromatic and smoky creation. It follows Ardbeg Anthology’s inaugural release, The Harpy’s Tale, which marries classic Ardbeg with the Distillery’s first whisky aged in Sauternes sweet white wine casks.
Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, said: “At Ardbeg we love to experiment with how we can push our spirit’s smoky balance into new worlds of flavour. Some time ago, we decided to try maturing Ardbeg in unusual cask types for the distillery to create sweet and smoky ‘hybrids’– and so the Anthology Collection was born.
“The Unicorn’s Tale is the second release in this series, which has been created by marrying classic Ardbeg matured in bourbon casks with a parcel of whisky wholly matured in sweet Madeira wine casks. The outcome is a whisky bursting with notes of banana bread and tropical fruit, fused with Ardbeg’s hallmark flavours of camphor, lime zest and wood smoke. This 14-year-old whisky may appear sweet in nature, but its smoky side is not to be underestimated!”
Priced at £130 with an ABV of 46%, Ardbeg Anthology: The Unicorn’s Tale will be available for purchase on ardbeg.com, in Ardbeg Embassies, at the Distillery Visitor Centre on Islay and in selected whisky specialists.
RRP: £130
For exclusive Ardbeg news and releases, fans and whisky lovers can sign up to the Ardbeg Committee by visiting www.ardbeg.com/ardbeg/committee . Membership is free, and all Ardbeg fans are welcome.
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Tasting notes
ABV: 46%
Colour Pure Gold
Aroma Rich, sweet, aromatic and fruity, baked banana bread and syrupy sponge pudding fill the senses. Notes of treacle trot into a distinctive suggestion of burning cedarwood. A splash of water releases a bounty of tropical fruits. Eucalyptus oil mingles with soft, aromatic smoke.
Taste Zesty notes of lime and sweet peaches canter across the palate. A burst of rich smoked fruit and baked bread prance into antiseptic lozenges, creosote, and aniseed. Soft barley malt combines with nutmeg and peat smoke.
Finish The influence of these rare Madeira casks is undeniable. A whimsically smoky finish welcomes a long and lingering aftertaste of menthol, clove, wood smoke and camphor.
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.
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 180,000 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 Jackie Thomson, 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, 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 10 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 Anthology Collection:
This experimental collection comprises rare and experimental Ardbegs, each created from intriguing cask combinations entirely new to the Distillery. Each whisky in the series takes its name from a mythological creature.
The Harpy’s Tale: The series’ first single malt was released in August 2023. Aged for 13 years in a combination of classic bourbon and sweet Sauternes wine casks, this unique Ardbeg is characterised by a tussle between powerful smoke and rich sweetness.
The Unicorn’s Tale: The second whisky in the collection combines classic Ardbeg aged in bourbon casks with whisky fully matured in Malmsey Madeira casks – the sweetest and most prized of the Madeira wines.
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.
