ARDBEG EXPERIMENTS WITH SAUTERNES CASKS TO CREATE A NEW
13 YEAR OLD WHISKY
< Distillery launches The Harpy’s Tale, a smoky-sweet ‘hybrid’, as the first release in its new Anthology Collection of unusual maturation styles >
22 August, UK – Islay distillery and smoky malt, Ardbeg has unveiled the first experimental and rare release in its new Anthology Collection – Ardbeg Anthology: The Harpy’s Tale.
Aged for 13 years in a combination of classic ex-bourbon and sweet Sauternes wine casks, this whisky presents a completely unique Ardbeg, characterised by a tussle between powerful smoke and rich sweetness. In homage to this unusual ‘hybrid’ style, its packaging takes inspiration from the fabled half-human and half-bird Harpy – an elusive, winged beast from ancient mythology.
Ardbeg The Harpy’s Tale is the inaugural whisky in the distillery’s new Anthology Collection: a range of experimental single malts that will present rare and exceptional Ardbegs, each matured in cask types that are completely new to the distillery.
Dr. Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, said, “We have embarked on a bold maturation experiment to fuse Ardbeg’s signature smokiness with more nuanced, sweeter notes for our new release The Harpy’s Tale – resulting in a very unusual and complex breed of Ardbeg. This is a dram that represents a battle between sweet and smoke – one I believe fans are yet to experience in an Ardbeg dram, and one that I’m sure they will be excited to taste for themselves.
“Collectively, the whiskies in the Anthology Collection will form a legendary, perfectly balanced and delicious series of rare and unusual Ardbegs, rich in both lore and taste. We look forward to revealing more in the Collection in the near future.”
Priced at £141 with an ABV of 46%, Ardbeg Anthology: The Harpy’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: £141
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
SOARING ARDBEG SMOKINESS… WITH SWOOPS OF SAUTERNES
SWEETNESS
ABV: 46%
Colour Amber
Aroma Distinctively oily with touches of extra virgin olive oil, sweet briar wood and aromatic herbs, such as coriander and sage, come to the fore. A gentle suggestion of smoked lemon peel appears for a brief moment. A splash of water reveals more oiliness, with linseed oil and an ever so slight waxiness. A burst of perfumed carbolic soap takes flight, leaving behind it a faint whiff of crème brûlée.
Taste A soft, oily mouthfeel leads the way into a rich, woody sweetness in dark treacle and balsamic. Hints of oak moss break free as smokier notes begin to emerge. Aniseed lozenges, smoked apricots and eucalyptus oil merge in a unique and contrasting patchwork of flavours.
Finish Finally, a long and lingering aftertaste of sweetness and smoke. A touch of cumin, cardamon and the merest hint of coconut bring this incredible dram to a close.
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 to date, Ardbeg has been 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.
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.
