Ardbeg Distillery Ltd Port Ellen, Islay, Argyll
Owning Company: Glenmorangie Plc.
Established: 1815
Location: South Coast of Islay
Visitors Centre: N/A
The Whisky
On the southerly part of Islay lie three distilleries - Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg -
reputed to be the peatiest of all malts. Of the three, Ardbeg uses the most heavily
peated malt, but paradoxically does not produce a whisky which is as smoky /
medicinal as Laphroaig or Lagavulin. It is there, but it does not take control of nose or
palate; it gives way for the malt, which displays a natural sweetness and balance.
Smugglers
Two centuries ago, Ardbeg, which in Gaelic means "small headland", was the lonely
haunt of smugglers. Over the centuries Islay has been occupied by Celts, Picts, Gaels
and Vikings, and some of the old ruins standing on the island are a reminder of its
turbulent past.
Close to the Ardbeg distillery lies the ancient Celtic Cross of Kildalton dating from the
8th Century - one of the oldest and finest examples of Celtic art in Scotland.The
characteristic initial "A", long associated with Ardbeg, is a reminder of the Celtic
heritage and is derived from the famous "Book of Kells" dating from the same period.
The Macdougals
There was a family of Macdougals at Ardbeg from 1798, one of whom started a legal
distillery in 1815, which was producing around 500 gallons a day by 1835. Until the
early 1980s Ardbeg had its own floor maltings and, as there were no fans in the
pagoda-roofed malting houses, the trapped peat smoke thoroughly permeated the malt.
Tasting Notes
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