Ardbeg (whiskey): description, composition, manufacturer and reviews

Ardbeg - whiskey, which is called the best in the world. This is a single malt, born on the island of Ayla. The Scottish island has been producing such a popular alcohol for more than two centuries and carefully keeps all the secrets associated with its manufacture. "Ardbeg" in its class received the title of the most peat drink. The product began its history in 1815 under the auspices of the Mack Duglov dynasty. But for the first time the mention of Ardbeg whiskey sounds at the end of the 18th century. The history of this alcoholic product is as interesting and rich as its taste.

Three Birthday Ardbeg

In the century before last, no more than three thousand people lived on the Isla Island. And on such a scanty number of people there were already 21 distilleries. Today the population of the island is much larger, and distillery - less. Only eight enterprises managed to withstand tough competition. One of them is the winery, which makes Ardbeg (whiskey). Located on the south coast, east of Port Ellen.

The history of the famous drink begins in the XVIII century. But nobody was known at that time distillery was closed by the tax authorities for two decades. Production resumed in 1815. The head of the enterprise was the genus Mack Duglov. Unlike their predecessors, Mac Dougles took care of the license, and now no tax service could find fault with them.

Isla Island is located on the swampy territory, here the aroma of peat is impregnated everything from the ground to the air. Because of this, the whiskey "Ardbeg" has a bright, specific taste. The composition of the drink includes sea salt, which makes it feel not only a peaty taste, but also the presence of seaweed is felt. A magnificent composition is complemented by a smoky aroma. Throughout the past century, the company managed to function only on a third of its total capacity, so enjoy the divine taste of alcohol was not possible for many gourmets. In 1981, the factory was stopped, and its workers were fired.

The third time Ardbeg revived in 1989, but until 1996 it was not in high demand. In 1997, the brand, along with the entire production, was acquired by the Glenmorange Louis Veton Moet Hennessy concern. In the new industry was invested nearly a half million pounds sterling, which allowed to expand the capacity of the enterprise. In 1998, the plant began to function in full force.

Secrets of the drink and its composition

The mystery of making Ardbeg (whiskey) is not only in the use of innovative equipment, but also in the application of manual labor. Barley, which is noted in the composition of the drink, is scattered on the floor of the plant. Workers carefully mix and turn it by themselves until the first shoots appear. To create whiskey, malt is used, which is dried on peat smoke, which determines the smoke-smoked smell of the drink.

During infusion, Ardbeg is flavored with algae flavors and sea vapors. The storehouse on which the product is stored is located near the sea, so waves often pour barrels of whiskey. For the production of "Ardbeg" only pure spring water of peat sources is used. At the manufacturer fermentation process takes 2.5 days, and this is much more than other manufacturers.

Whiskey with Gaelic roots

In 2008, a decade after the third revival of the Ardbeg trademark, the world saw the whiskey Ardbeg Corryvreckan. The name Corryvreckan has Gaelic roots. This is the name of the strait that separates the islands of Scarba and Jura. On the back of the bottle is a map with a note of the winery and the strait.

Whiskey Corryvreckan is included in the list of standard releases of the winery "Ardbeg". It looks like an oily bronze-yellow drink with a reddish tinge. This type of whiskey has the smell of dry peat with a brackish iodine note. Developing, the drink acquires a clear shade of prunes. "Diving" deeper, you can feel the aromas of dried fruits: dried pear, figs, dried apples and dust raisins. But the taste of Ardbeg Corryvreckan varies from year to year.

Noble and contradictory variety

Popular among gourmets is the whiskey Ardbeg Uigeadail. The first wave of the smell of the drink opens with the aroma of sulfur and sea smoke. Then comes the ambret of overripe fruit. It clearly feels sugary taste of red friable apples, hawthorn, frosted, current persimmon and dates. At first glance, this combination seems deadly, but in fact it is, although controversial, but rather noble.

Ardbeg Uigeadail is characterized by an oily and not sufficiently dense body, and the taste of this variety is a continuation of the smell. Whiskey leaves a long aftertaste that reminds domestic consumers of the taste of Vishnevsky's medical ointment.

Ten Year Olds Whiskey

If we talk about the brand "Ardbeg", then immediately comes to mind the association with Ardbeg (whiskey) 10 years of aging. It is distinguished by a natural pale color with amber tones. Fantastically rich and rich aroma combines chords of chocolate and cinnamon. Stunning floral notes are intertwined with a powerful sound of melon, smoked fish, sea water and coffee. He tastes incredibly dense and oily - in the same portions, peat and malt show themselves. Therefore, the whiskey "Ardbeg 10 years" (Ardbeg TEN) is both smoke and bitter, and sweet.

Ardbeg today

Even today Ardbeg is whiskey, which comes in a small amount: about three hundred thousand gallons. And in 2011 Ardbeg, together with NanoRacks LLC (a US research company), sent into orbit samples of the drink, which were resting there in oak barrels until 2014. The purpose of the experiment is to study the influence of gravity on the process of ripening of alcohols, or rather, on terpenes, responsible for the taste of the product.

Spills of alcohol of this label differ in their variety, there are 28 species. Some of them were able to enjoy only the regulars of the special club, which was founded in the distant 1945. The new owners of the winery managed to win more than one award for their product.

And drinks, produced under the name Ardbeg, have an incredible popularity among collectors. If you are a beginner, the sharp, peaty and hard taste of this whiskey can for the rest of your life discourage the desire to consume great drinks.

Other varieties of famous whiskey

In addition to the above varieties of whiskey Ardbeg, the price of which exceeds three thousand rubles per bottle, there are some other types of spills. So, there is Ardbeg Blasda, which can be considered an experimental drink, because it has almost no characteristic peat flavor. This product tastes tender and light, which is not typical for alcohol of this kind.

Still there is Ardbeg Galileo - a novelty in the production of "Ardbeg". This variety is kept in barrels, in which the marsala used to be. This makes the taste of the drink unique and original.

According to gourmets

Whiskey Ardbeg reviews gets either only the best, or none at all. People who know a lot about alcoholic beverages, describe it as something grandiose, unique and unrepeatable. Those who appreciate in alcohol masterpieces only their ability to intoxicate, say that this is not intended for use product. They do not like his taste. But such reviews are very few. After all, most gourmets "Ardbeg" like so much that they can not imagine without him a single feast.

The admirers of the drink continuously praise its taste and aroma. They note the uniqueness and uniqueness of the drink. People say that it is impossible to forget the aftertaste. In addition, many individuals and do not want to do it, every time indulging in such a luxurious liquor.