Ardbeg 17 Year Old

Ardbeg 17 Year Old is a highly revered, legendary Islay single malt Scotch whisky that marks the triumphant return of a historic distillery icon. Originally launched in 1997 as one of the first whiskies released after the distillery was saved from extinction, it was retired in 2004, only to be meticulously recreated as a celebrated limited-edition revival. Breaking modern Ardbeg conventions to remain completely faithful to the original profile, this expression is bottled at 40% ABV and is chill-filtered. It captures an unusually elegant, restrained, and delicate side of the distillery's character by blending classic heavily peated spirit with a portion of rare unpeated Ardbeg spirit. The nose is exceptionally gentle and refined, offering notes of pine resin, aniseed, fresh sea spray, and lavender soap layered over a subtle, sweet peat smoke. The palate possesses a beautiful, creamy texture revealing flavors of cafe latte, aniseed toffee, fennel, and flinty minerality, culminating in a long, chewy finish of oak, cocoa powder, and gentle tar.

Food Pairing: Pairs wonderfully with delicate yet rich seafood options such as smoked salmon or oysters with a squeeze of lemon, along with lighter charcuterie, mild goat cheese, or a dark chocolate and sea salt torte.

TASTING NOTES - A bright, pale straw gold color with a light to medium body and a remarkably clean, smooth, and gentle mouthfeel on the palate.

NOSE - Fresh, clean, and beautifully restrained, opening with subtle aromas of pine resin, aniseed, and sea spray, layered with sweet vanilla, fresh lavender soap, white pepper, and a very gentle whisper of distant wood smoke.

PALATE - Delicate and incredibly balanced on the tongue, leading with a soft sweetness of vanilla cream and a hint of lemon zest, gracefully evolving into notes of sweet malted barley, toasted almonds, light seaweed, and a highly sophisticated, integrated peat smoke.

FINISH - Medium in length, clean, and remarkably smooth, leaving a gentle trailing warmth of medicinal peat smoke, sweet vanilla fudge, citrus oils, and a soft touch of drying oak spice.

SERVE - Best enjoyed poured neat at room temperature in a classic Glencairn glass to slowly appreciate its delicate, old-school Islay complexity.