DISCOVER LAIR UPON LAIR OF FLAVOUR IN ARDBEG SCORCH – THE DISTILLERY’S LATEST LIMITED EDITION – Scotch Whisky News

DISCOVER LAIR UPON LAIR OF FLAVOUR IN ARDBEG SCORCH – THE DISTILLERY’S LATEST LIMITED EDITION 

The Ardbeg Distillery invites its noble fandom to join them for an online extravaganza and uncover the ‘lairs’ of flavour in their latest limited edition.

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, which this year will take place entirely online. The Distillery invites smoky malt whisky lovers and fantasy buffs everywhere to join them on Ardbeg.com and social media, as fans come together to uncover the myth and the malt behind their new limited edition, Ardbeg Scorch.

Islay folk have long told tales of the island’s dragon, bravely slain by a heroic warrior many moons ago. And on 5 June 2021, Ardbeggians around the world will celebrate Ardbeg Day with a new whisky created in homage to this ‘true myth’. It is said this fiercely delicious dram is the mouthwatering product of Ardbeg’s own flavour-breathing beast, who dwells in Dunnage Warehouse No. 3, scorching staves and burning barrels…

Ardbeg Scorch has been matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks – heavily charred by the fiery exhale of Warehouse 3’s definitely-real-and-totally-not-made-up dragon*. Intense aromas of soot and smoke lie in wait, while grilled fare and black liquorice mingle with bold notes of medicinal lozenge. This truly is a dram of fantastical proportions.

Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager, said: “This year will be my first Ardbeg Day ever: a baptism of fire! It’s a shame we Ardbeggians can’t enjoy it together in person, but the online event is shaping up to be tremendous fun. With a whole virtual world to explore, including fantasy inns, campfire tales, medieval feasts and live tastings, there’s plenty for people to be excited about this year.”

Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, said: “Ardbeg Scorch is our tribute to the legendary dragon of Islay. By using our most heavily charred casks, we’ve created a fire-breathing beast of a dram!”  

Ardbeg Scorch will be available to buy from Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists, online retailers and from the Distillery Visitor Centre from 25th May. For more news on this event and all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at Ardbeg.com.

www.ardbeg.com

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ARDBEG DAY LINE UP:

Ardbeg Day 2021- Saturday 5th June

Time
Event
About

12pm
Dragon Tales
No Ardbeg Day would be complete without a few yarns. Enter into our witch’s lair as Jackie recites some of Islay’s oldest stories… along with a slightly newer tale in the heroic legend of the dog and the dragon.

2pm
The Dog & Dragon Inn
Discover what alchemy our mixology master/innkeeper, Cameron George, has in store at The Dog & Dragon Inn.

3pm
The Feast Master
Fill up your flagons and fetch your forks, the Feast Master, aka DJ BBQ, is hitting the pit to put on the smokiest spread in all the land!

4pm
Stillhouse Tour
A dragon’s eye tour of Ardbeg’s new Stillhouse.

5pm
Chairman’s Study Live Tasting
Join Sir Colin Gordon, our Distillery Manager, as he suits up to sip on some of Ardbeg’s rarest drams. Join in on the live chat, and request your favourite Ardbeg expression for Sir Colin to taste.

7pm
The Scorch Whisky Lair – Live Tasting
Hosted live from the belly of the beast – the Scorch Whisky Lair – Dr Bill, our whisky wizard, will be performing a live tasting of Ardbeg Scorch. Tune in at 7pm (BST) sharp to watch as he ruminates over this fire breathing beast of a dram…

All events will be virtual and hosted on Ardbeg.com and social media – Twitter: @Ardbeg and Instagram: @ardbeg

 ARDBEG SCORCH TASTING NOTES:

 Colour Bright brushed gold

Nose On the nose, frighteningly intense aromas of soot and smoke lie in wait. Hints of aniseed and fragrant patchouli interlace with bold notes of quenched steel and saddle soap. With a drop of water, herbal top notes of briar wood, sage and pine wisp their way to the fore.

Taste Take a sip and experience lair upon lair of flavour. An oily mouthfeel grips the senses. Billowy clouds of sweet smoke and dragon charred oak permeate the palate, while grilled fare and black liquorice weave between notes of medicinal lozenge.

Finish A long and heroic finale, with a subtle tarry aftertaste. A finish that will drag on, well into its happily ever after.

ABV: 46%

NOTES: 

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 more than 100,000 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 Mickey Heads, is free to join at Ardbeg.com. 

Awards:

Ardbeg is the world’s most highly awarded smoky single malt whisky. 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 in 2010, and 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. In 2019, Dr Bill Lumsden was awarded Master Distiller of the Year for the third time in four years. 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.

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.