Ardbeg An Oa (46.6% ABV) is a no age statement bottling, which has been produced using whiskies that were originally matured in Pedro Ximénes, virgin oak and ex-bourbon barrels, before being married together in a specially created French oak vat.
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| Ardbeg An Oa |
The vat (The Gathering Vat) which is situated inside Ardbeg Distillery’s new and bespoke Gathering Room, has culminated in a whisky which is said to be far more complex and rounded than the sum of its parts.
Situated at the end of the Oa peninsula on the southside of Islay, The Mull of Oa, is said to be the islands most untamed spot. On one side, its rounded headland – 202m at its height – bears the brunt of storms that rage in from the Atlantic. On the other, it provides shelter from the wild weather to the southern coast of Islay, including Ardbeg Cove, where the Ardbeg Distillery is nestled. These contrasts along with Mull’s rounded shape, are said to be reflected in the power and silky sweetness of Ardbeg An Oa.
Commenting on the launch, Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks, said: “There is a wonderfully Ardbeggian magic to The Gathering Room, where the parcels married together in this whisky merge over time, to reach new levels of complexity."
He went onto say: "Ardbeg An Oa’s rounded and subtly smoky aromas reflect all the contrasts of the Mull of Oa, with notes of creamy toffee, aniseed, dates and hints of peach and banana. The whisky’s smooth, creamy texture leads to a huge syrupy sweetness on the palate, as milk chocolate, orange and smoky tea leaves mingle with sweet spices, cigar smoke and – unusually – grilled artichokes, before a lingering, seductive and smoky finish. It is years since the world’s smokiest, peatiest Islay malt added to its core range. We hope smoky malt whisky fans everywhere will be drawn to Ardbeg An Oa.”
Ardbeg An Oa, will be available next month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £49.00.
Posted by Steve Rush