Ardbeg – Blaaack 20th Anniversary Committee Release 2020 (70cl, 50.7%)

Ardbeg – Blaaack 20th Anniversary Committee Release 2020 is a single malt whisky from Ardbeg (Islay). Bottled at 50.7% 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' was 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. Founded in the year 2000, the Ardbeg committee marks the occasion every year with a special release. This release celebrates 20 years of releases with the Ardbeg Blaaack. This limited edition is feisty and unique in the same breath. Its the first time in the distilleries history that they have used Pinot Noir casks from the country that lies the furthest distance from Islay - New Zealand. The legendary have knitted together this special release to give hints of "velvety summer fruit pudding and bitter cherry, with a deeper edge of soot and Ardbeg's hallmark smoke." Sláinte to all the Ardbeg committee members out there!