Ardbeg Ardcore Feis Ile 2022

A revolutionary, charcoal-driven Islay single malt, crafted with highly roasted 'black malt' for a unique, intensely sooty and spicy profile.

At-a-Glance

Historical Context

Ardbeg Distillery, located on the notoriously peaty south coast of Islay, has been producing powerfully complex single malt since 1815. The Ardcore expression was created specifically to celebrate Ardbeg Day 2022, which coincides with the annual Fèis Ìle music and whisky festival on Islay.

The core innovation of Ardcore lies in its production method, an adventurous experiment by the distillery's whisky-making team. The spirit was created using black malt, which is barley malted and then roasted to extreme levels in a kiln at super-high temperatures. This process, more commonly associated with the brewing of dark stouts, imparts unique, dark, and intensely sooty characteristics to the spirit, adding layers of charcoal and cocoa that differ significantly from Ardbeg’s standard phenolic profile. The resulting flavour profile was described by Ardbeg as tasting like "biting on a spiky ball", perfectly aligning with the "punk rock" theme inspired by Port Ellen’s local scene in the 1970s.

This specific bottling is the Committee Release, distinguishable by its higher ABV of 50.1% compared to the General Release (often 46% ABV). The Committee Release, bottled without chill-filtration and at higher strength, is explicitly designed to showcase the spirit's rawest and most intense character, catering directly to the loyal enthusiasts (the Ardbeg Committee) who demand uncompromising flavour impact.

Technical Specification & Variant Map

The Ardcore Committee Release is a single malt aged for nearly 10 years. Its maturation predominantly took place in first-fill and some second-fill ex-Bourbon barrels, allowing the primary influence of the black malt to dominate rather than be obscured by heavy sherry wood.

The critical technical differentiator is the use of black malt in the mash bill (estimated to be 25% of the total malt content). This ingredient introduces intense roasted, charred notes (charcoal, chicory) that are highly unusual in Scotch production. The high bottling strength of 50.1% ABV ensures that these intense flavours are delivered with full structural integrity.

Documented variants

There are two primary variants of Ardcore: the Committee Release (50.1% ABV, bottled 2021) and the General Release (typically 46% ABV, bottled 2022). Collectors highly prize the Committee Release for its higher proof and raw intensity.

Variant Matrix

Packaging & authenticity checklist

The Ardcore Committee Release is easily identifiable by its theme (punky, black malt) and specific strength (50.1% ABV). While the International General Release carton stated "Taste Buds Rocked," the French edition featured the slogan "Black Malt Whisky". Authentication requires verifying the strength and ensuring the bottle's capsule is intact, as the Committee Releases rapidly acquire collector value. The presence of the original tube or box, which vividly features the punk-inspired artwork, is essential for maximizing its secondary market appeal.

Regulatory/terminology notes

The whisky is legally non-chill-filtered due to its bottling strength. The term "Black Malt" is a crucial technical descriptor, indicating the use of intensely roasted malted barley, a process that determines the liquid's unconventional flavour profile.

Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)

The Ardcore profile is exceptionally aggressive, deliberately trading the balance of typical Ardbeg for a burst of sharp, sooty, and dark flavours.

Nose: A bold and confrontational aroma profile. Initial notes include charcoal, bonfire smoke, and tarry ropes, quickly followed by dark, savoury elements like Marmite, chicory, and coffee grounds. The high smoke and char are balanced by an underlying sweetness and a zesty, tart element.

Palate: The taste is described as a "fiery mouthfeel" with a sharp, 'zingy' texture. Flavours include powerful aniseed, dark chocolate, cocoa powder, sweet mint toffee, and a distinctive barbecue charcoal or cigar ash character.

Finish: Long and drying, concluding with persistent notes of chocolate, soot, and cracked black pepper.

With water: Water introduces powerful bursts of diesel oil, fresh paint, and tar, before settling down into more savoury elements like yeast extract. The high ABV is robust enough to take water without collapse.

Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)

Original RRP (GBP): The original retail price (General Release) was approximately £130 (based on US SRP conversion). The Committee Release typically sells for a slightly higher initial price.

Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): £165.00 – £299.90. The wide range reflects highly variable secondary retail pricing, as primary stock is depleted.

Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): £47.50 – £60.00. Recent auction data for the Committee Exclusive shows hammer prices consistently ranging between £47.50 and £60.00.

Pricing stratification: Auction results for Ardcore are notably low for a limited Ardbeg release, potentially due to the blend's extreme and divisive flavour profile (less traditional Islay peat and more charcoal/soot). This creates a significant gap between the optimistic specialist retail asking price and the verifiable auction floor. The highest realised values are for bottles authenticated as the Committee Release (50.1% ABV).

Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is high due to the brand's immense following. Sourcing is primarily through auction houses, targeting lots selling near the auction floor price to maximize arbitrage margins against specialist retail valuations.

Price Snapshot