WHEN PEAT BECOMES ART, BEG FOR MORE

The 22nd release is a 6-year-old "unknown" single malt from Islay, bottled at 53.9% and finished in a ruby port cask. Following the 13-year-old Secret Islay with a PX finish from 2024 and the 10-year-old Undisclosed Islay from 2025, this is the third unknown Islay single malt in the range. Although, unknown? Not really. This time, there is a clear hint on the label that makes it quite easy to guess where this expression was distilled. Indeed: Ardbeg!

The Ardbeg distillery, located on the Isle of Islay, is widely considered one of the most renowned Scottish whisky distilleries in the world and is known for producing some of the most intensely peated single malts. Ardbeg whiskies are famous for their powerful flavor profile: pronounced peat smoke, maritime brininess, and notes of citrus, dark chocolate, espresso, and medicinal iodine, balanced by a surprising sweetness and complexity.

This expression received a ruby port finish, which has largely pushed the original Ardbeg character into the background. The typical medicinal and briny notes make way for the sweeter influences of the port cask. Feel free to call it an atypical Ardbeg, and that is exactly what made this whisky so appealing when tasting the cask sample.

NOSE
Atypical for the distillery, with the port cask clearly at the forefront. Vibrant red fruit notes and a soft, wine-like sweetness dominate, largely overshadowing the usual maritime peat smoke.

PALATE
Equally unusual — ripe red fruit and the sweetness of the port cask take the lead initially, with briny and spicy undertones and only subtle hints of the distillery's typical peat character.

FINISH
In the finish, the peat finally steps forward, releasing the classic smoky, maritime character, making the aftertaste long and warm.

This expression is one for those who enjoy discovering how an iconic Islay whisky can be given a surprising twist. The combination of a young, powerful Ardbeg with a ruby port finish provides an atypical yet highly captivating tasting experience. For peat lovers and those curious about a different side of Ardbeg, this is a whisky absolutely worth tasting.