This bottling features cask No. 20080, a rare single cask personally selected and retained by Dr. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg's Director of Distillation and Creation.

 

This is one of the original spirits that formed the foundation for "Ardbeg An Oa," first introduced in 2017 and beloved by many fans. It was matured in bourbon casks before being transferred to PX sherry casks, where it spent 15 years developing. The spirit was distilled on March 2, 2010. After its initial maturation in bourbon casks, it was moved to PX sherry casks, a less common choice at the time, several years later.

 

Dr. Lumsden was deeply captivated by the unparalleled balance of smoke and profound sweetness in cask No. 20080, leading him to decide to keep this particular cask aside.

 

The result is a harmonious fusion of sherry-driven sweetness, reminiscent of raisins, and Ardbeg's signature smoky power. Aromas of soot, fig, and baked plum rise, leading into a rich peat smoke with the depth of toasted hazelnuts, creating a truly unique finish.

 

The color is a deep copper. The aroma first presents a sweet, smoky character, evoking a warm and profound sensation. Beyond this, the rich flavors of dried fruits like sultanas and sticky dates add depth. With a drop of water, the smoke intensifies, revealing a powerful and wild profile, while layers of fig, black cherry, and baked plum emerge, further deepening the sweet and rich sherry-influenced finish.

 

 

On the palate, the impact of peat smoke instantly floods the mouth, enveloping the senses. As the smoke subsides, a sweetness emerges, akin to the aromas, accompanied by a rich, toasty sweetness and nutty nuances of cocoa powder, toasted hazelnuts, and praline.

 

The finish is marked by a distinct peat presence, while the dark fruit sweetness from the PX sherry cask reappears, leaving a long, smoky, and luscious aftertaste.

 

What 15 years of maturation brings is time – time to fuse the intensity of smoke and the sweetness of sherry into a single, unified flavor, rather than letting them oppose each other. The robust presence of peat and the mellow sweetness of dried fruits meld seamlessly. Cask No. 20080 teaches us the beauty of such gentle harmony.