Ardbeg – Dark Cove - Committee Release 2016 (70cl, 55%)

Ardbeg – Dark Cove - Committee Release 2016 is a single malt whisky from Ardbeg (Islay). Bottled at 55% 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. This limited edition 2016 Committee Release of Dark Cove was matured in ex-bourbon and dark Sherry casks to create 'The Darkest Ardbeg Ever.' Punchier than the standard release, this has notes of dark fruits, intense peat, ginger and bacon, with a long smoky finish. It is said to be created to honour the Islay coastline's shadowy past – although the colour isn't too dark at all, the dark casks used provide plenty of oaky depth.