Ardbeg – 23 Year Old Twenty Something (70cl, 46.3%)

Ardbeg – 23 Year Old Twenty Something is a whisky from Ardbeg (Islay). Aged 23 years, bottled at 46.3% ABV, 70cl. Since its establishment in 1815, The Ardbeg distillery has been on a tumultuous rollercoaster ride of ownership changes, closures, and reopening. Stability was only achieved relatively recently, when the ailing distillery was purchased in 1997 by industry giants, Glenmorangie. The subsequent years have seen the distillery’s popularity swell, with fans enticed by the signature style of tarry, sooty smoke, balanced against citric sweetness and an oily mouthfeel. While Ardbeg still retains its distinctive personality, it has definitely been influenced by Glenmorangie’s propensity for experimenting with cask finishing, and (dare we say it) NAS expressions. 23 Year Old Twenty Something: As per its predecessor, 2016’s 21 Year Old Committee release, this 23 Year Old expression (also only available to Committee members) was distilled prior to Ardbeg’s Glenmorangie takeover and renaissance. Matured in a combination of bourbon and oloroso casks, and described by Distillery Manager, Mickey Heads, as a glimpse back into Ardbeg’s turbulent past that reaffirms just why the distillery couldn’t be allowed to disappear. Please note creasing to carton.