Ardbeg Spectacular

Located on the wild, windswept shores of Islay, Ardbeg has a long history dating back to 1815. Known for producing some of the peatiest and most complex single malts in Scotland, Ardbeg has cultivated a global following with its unique branding, events and way of doing things. The distillery’s commitment to traditional methods, combined with innovation, has led to a range of whiskies that are as challenging as they are rewarding.

Not afraid to experiment and release rather interesting whisky under Dr Bill Lumsden direction, they have recently released the Spectacular. This has been matured in a combination of port and ex-bourbon casks, marrying that wonderful smoke with the sweet notes and red fruits coming from the port. It has resulted in a cacophony of flavours, with the port influence not overpowering. It has a lovely combination of BBQ smoke, leather, figs, oranges with a lovely spice. I would love to try this at a higher abv to give it a little more body, but I do have a preference for high ABV.

If you are unfamiliar with the brand (I am sure most of you are though!), their core range is a great introduction. 

Ardbeg 10-Year-Old: Often described as the quintessential Ardbeg, this whisky is a perfect introduction to the brand’s style. It’s intensely smoky, with notes of citrus, vanilla, and a long, complex finish. It’s un-chill-filtered, allowing for a fuller body and richer texture.

Ardbeg Uigeadail: Named after the loch that supplies the distillery’s water, Uigeadail is a marriage of Ardbeg’s traditional deep smoky notes with a sherried sweetness, creating a complex and full-bodied whisky. It’s a favourite among many Ardbeg fans for its balance of richness and depth.

Ardbeg Corryvreckan: Named after a famous whirlpool near Islay, Corryvreckan is a stormy, intense whisky with a bold and powerful character. It’s known for its peppery mouthfeel, with flavours of black pepper, dark fruit, and tar balanced by a creamy, vanilla sweetness.

Ardbeg An Oa: The most recent addition to the core range, An Oa is a more approachable, rounded whisky, designed to showcase the softer, sweeter side of Ardbeg without losing the signature peatiness. It’s aged in a combination of different cask types, giving it a complex but well-integrated flavour profile.

Ardbeg Wee Beastie: Wee Beastie is unique in the Ardbeg lineup for its age. While many whiskies are aged for at least 10 years before release, Ardbeg chose to bottle Wee Beastie at just 5 years, making it the youngest expression in their core range. This decision was bold, but it paid off, resulting in a whisky that is surprisingly complex and full of character despite its youth.

The name "Wee Beastie" reflects the whisky’s nature, small, but packing a powerful punch. At 47.4% ABV, it’s bottled at a slightly higher strength than some of its older siblings. From the first sip, it’s clear that Wee Beastie lives up to its name, offering a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the heart of Ardbeg’s signature peatiness.