Presenting the 2024 Ardbeg Day bottling. This year's theme is Dark Circus and it showcases a new side to the distillery. The spirit used was matured in rare port wine casks and then married with Bourbon barrels - something that's never been done before at this Islay distillery.

“This is a helter skelter of flavours! Totally weird and absolutely spectacular. This is a freaky whisky!" - Dr Bill Lumsden

Official Tasting Notes

Colour – Sunset Orange

Nose – Curiously perfumed and aromatic, with lovely, fragrant top notes like lavender, vetiver and incense candles. Underneath this are some deeper notes, a touch of leather, some almond nuttiness, and a touch of wax. A splash of water opens up the bouquet, revealing touches of woodsmoke, damp peat moss, a hint of menthol and more antique leather.

Palate – The mouthfeel is salty, but viscous at the same time, and leads in to a burst of huge, salty, savoury, smoky flavours- eucalyptus oil, salted caramel toffee, smoked pecan nuts, fragrant woodsmoke, creosote and tar. There is also a background sweetness, like a smoky pear crumble and some fudge.

Finish – Finally on the long lingering aftertaste, more leather, salted caramel and a cooling mentholic sensation.