Ardbeg – Arrrrrrrdbeg End of an Era Committee Release 2020 (70cl, 51.8%)

Ardbeg – Arrrrrrrdbeg End of an Era Committee Release 2020 is a single malt whisky from Ardbeg (Islay). Bottled at 51.8% ABV, 70cl. Known for its outstandingly smoky drams, the Islay Distillery, Ardbeg was founded by John McDougall in 1815 after taking out a licence. Just under a century later, the name 'Ardbeg' and signature 'A' were registered as a trademark, an iconic recognisable logo for the distillery. Further on in the 20th century, the distillery started outsourcing, using a peated malt from the nearby Port Ellen Distillery in 1974 just before Ardbeg was mothballed for the first time in 1981. Reopened again by Allied Distillers in 1989, it was not long before the distillery was closed for a second time, however, the Glenmorangie Company saved the day by purchasing Ardbeg just before both Glenmorangie and Ardbeg became part of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. Being awarded World Whisky of the Year more than once, the distillery will continue to succeed, with the plans submitted of increasing the distillation capacity by adding not one, but two more stills in 2018, Ardbeg is only going upwards from here. A bottling in honour of the legendary Distillery Manager and Committee Chairman Mickey who is departing after a great 13 years. Captain of the good ship, he is now retiring and so this special bottle has been created to commemorate his service. A special treasure indeed fit for the saltiest of seadogs. This release really is the end of an era. The dram within has been matured in solely ex-rye casks.