Distillery in Focus: Ardbeg

Distillery in Focus: Ardbeg
Region: Islay
Name: Ardbeg. " Small hillock" or "The little headland"
Status: active
Website: http://www.ardbeg.com/
Telephone: 01496 302244
E-Mail: distillery@ardbeg.com
Address: Ardbeg, Port Ellen. Isle of Islay, PA42 7EA Latitude 55.6404 N, Longitude 6.1087W
Visitor centre: Yes
Owner: Louis-Vuitton Moët Hennessey (LVMH)
Established in 1815
Stills: 1 wash and 1 spirit still
Casks used for maturation: Bourbon and sherry
Percentage of single malts: 75-85%
Contribute(d) to the following blends: Ballantine's, Teacher's, Black bottle, Johnnie Walker

Ardbeg distillery circa 1910. Courtesy of M. van Gils.

and in 2006.

Regular Bottlings:

Ardbeg 10, 46%
Ardbeg Uigeadail 54.2%
Ardbeg Corryvreckan 57.1% (2009-)

Since Ardbeg distillery reopened in 1997, several limited editions have been released:
Ardbeg Supernova (2009-)
Ardbeg Very Young 58.3% (2004)
Ardeg Still Young 56.2% (2006)
Ardbeg Almost There 54.1% (2007)
Ardbeg Renaissance 55.9% (2008)
Ardbeg Airigh nam beist 46% (2007-9)
Ardbeg Lords of the Isle 46% (2001-7)
And a large serie of Single Cask bottled at cask strength (mainly from the 1970s), as well as some Committee releases.

For tasted whiskies, click here

From left to right: The 1976 Single Cask bottled for the inauguration of the distillery, Ardbeg Supernova Stellar Relase, Ardbeg Renaissance, Ardbeg Rollercoaster Committee, and Ardbeg Ten

History of Ardbeg distillery

1815 John MacDougall, backed with Thomas Buchanan Jr, became a legitimate distiller. In 1835, Ardbeg was the largest distillery on Islay with a production of 500 gallons a week (65,000 LPA/year). The distillery was taken over by John's son Alexander and the distillery was renamed to "Alexander MacDougall & Co" by 1838. In 1857, the distillery was making heavy losses, after Alexander's sisters (Margaret & Flora) took over in 1851, and the sisters were force to sell the distillery to Thomas Gray Buchanan. Colin Hay was made a partner with Thomas Gray's son, Alexander Wilson Buchanan in 1872. In 1884, the distillery was producing 250,000 proof gallons. In 1896, Colin's sons Walter and Collin Hay, and David Lawson took over. The distillery and the lands were purchased from John Ramsay for £19,000 in 1922. The Distillers Company Ltd (DCL) acquired then some shares from the distillery. In 1928, Colin Elliot Hay died virtually bankrupt and his shares were sold. Colonel George McNish bought the shares, in order to honour his debts. The Gray Buchanans remained the major shareholders. The distillery was closed from 1943 to 1944, with minimal production in 1941-2. Alexander McDougall & Co went into liquidation in 1958 and the Ardbeg Distillery Ltd was formed on 5h January 1959. The DCL and Hiram Walker Ltd increased there shared but the distillery remained in private hands. The production was 400,000 proof litres in 1964. In that year, the company was filling one 50-gallon (old) cask for single malt. In 1967, almost 700,000 proof litres were produced. In 1972, it was decided to purchase up to 12.5% of commercial peated malt, ratio to be increased to 15% by the end of 1973. In 1974, the production was 1.1 mio LPA and the distillery agreed with JA Mitchell & Co ltd to fill and sell Ardbeg Single Malt. It was noted that the whisky was not matured in the best wood. In 1975, DCL reduced their orders, followed by Hiram Walker in 1976. As a consequence of the downturn, the major Fletcher (Hay family) proposed their share to Hiram Walker and Hiram Walker acquired the shares of the DCL. On December 22, 1976, Hiram Walker had total control over Ardbeg distillery. The distillery was in poor condition and a few buildings had been destroyed. The new owner invested over £1 mio. Between 1978 and 1981, some unpeated malt produced by Kilgour's maltings were used to produce the "kildalton" spirit. Starting 2003, small batches of Kildalton are occasionally produced.

On the 25^th March 1981, Hiram Walker decided to close the maltings and the distillery.

The distillery remained closed until October 1989, two years after Hiram Walker had been acquired by Allied Distillers Ltd.
Until its closure in 1981, Ardbeg was peated to 80-90 ppm. The aim was to produce malt to 45 ppm, but the Port Ellen maltings delivered initially malt peated to 30-35 ppm. By then, the spirit was very inconsistent and the purifier not working. Between 1991 and 1995, the distillery was running at a third of its capacity and Allied Distillers closed the distillery in July 1996. The distillery was sold in February 1997 to Glenmorangie plc for a price of £7mio. Huge financial investments were made by Glenmorangie to restore the rundown distillery. The first mash occurred on 16 June 1997 and the first spirit ran down on 20 June. In 2004, the Macdonald family, owner of Glenmorangie plc sold the company (and Ardbeg) to LVMH.


The old malting floor at Ardbeg distillery

The old malt bins	The washbacks

The Boby mill	The still house

Inside one of the warehouse	and inside the filling store.

Source: Distillery visit,The Making of Scotch whisky by John R. Hume & Michael S. Moss, The Whisky distilleries of Scotland and Irelandby P. Morrice, The Scotch whisky industry record by H. Charles Craig, The Scotch Whisky Distilleries by Misako Udo, and Ardbeg: A peaty Provenance, Gavin D. Smith & Graeme Wallace.
Patrick Brossard © 01 Aug 2010

Tasted whiskies (171):

Official/original bottlings (OB)

Age

Ardbeg Ten, OB, 46%. B:2005 Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 10 YO Dark Green Label, OB, 70 Proof, B: 1970s. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 10 YO, OB (Allied Distillers), 40%, B: circa 1985. Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg 10 YO White Label, OB, 80 Proof, B:1960s Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 10 YO “Clear Bottle” (Spirit SPA import), OB, 40%, B: 1980s (75 cl) Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg Ten Mor, 10 YO, OB, 57.3%, B: 2007, 1000 b. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 12 YO for France, OB, 80 Proof, B: 1966 Rating: 20/20

Ardbeg 13 YO Anthology, OB, 46%, B:2024. Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg Anthology 14 YO, OB, 46%, B :2024. Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg 17 YO, OB, 40% Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 17 YO, OB, 40%, B :2024 Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 YO, OB, 46.2%, B:2019 Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg Traigh Bhan Batch 4, 19 YO, OB, 46.2%, B:2022 Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 YO batch 5, OB, 46.2%, B :2024 Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 21 YO, OB, 46%, B:2016 Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 23 YO, OB, 46.3%, B:2018 Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg 23 YO Vintage Y2K, OB, 46%, B :2024. Rating: 13/20

Ardbeg 25 YO, OB, 46%, B :2023. Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg 30 YO, OB, 40%, B: 1990s. Rating: 13/20

Vintages

Ardbeg 1965, 39 YO, OB, 42.1%, B:2004. Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg 1972 for Belgium, 32 YO, OB, 44.2%, B: 2004, c.3038, 148 b. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1974 Provenance for Asia, OB, 55%, B:2000 Rating: 20/20

Ardbeg 1974, OB, 50.7%, B:2006, cask 4989 Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1975 Hand bottled for France, OB, 45.2%, B:1999, c. 4702.

Ardbeg 1975, OB, 43%, B:2000 Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1975 ex-oloroso (Feis Ile 2005), OB, 47.2%, c. 4704 Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1975 Feis Ile 2005, 29 YO, OB, 47.2%, B:2006, c.4704, 270 b. Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1975 ex-Fino, Feis Ile 2006, OB, 46.3%, c. 4717 Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1975 Sherry, 31 YO, OB, 53.7%, B:2006, c. 1378, 453 b. Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1975 Sherry, 31 YO, OB, 54.2%, B: 2006, c. 1375, 522 b. Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1975, 31 YO, OB, 54.2%, B:2006, c. 1375, 522 b. Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1976 Feis Ile 2002, OB, 53.1%, B: 2002, c. 2390, 494 b. Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1976 Manager’s Dram, OB, 56%, B: 1999, c. 2391 Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1976 for Velier, OB, 53.5%, B: 2002, c. 2396, 492 b. Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1976, 31 YO, OB, 52.4%, cask 2397 Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1977, OB, 46% Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1978, OB, 43%, B: 1998. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg Kildalton 1980, OB, 57.6%, B:2004, 1300 b. Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1995 For Feis Ile 2010, 14 YO, OB, 53.3%, c. 2761, 228 b. Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg Renaissance 1998, 10 YO, OB, 55.9%, B: 2008 Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1998 Feis Ile 2011, OB, 55.1%, B: 2011. 1200 b. Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg Galileo 1999, OB, 49%, B:2012 Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 2001 Private Reserve Wu Dram Clan, 20 YO, OB, 46.6%, B:2021, c. 348, 155 b. Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg Day 2024, D:2011, 12 ans, OB, 58,3%, B :2023, Amontillado cask 2453, 638 b. Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg 2006 For Sweden, 15 YO, OB, 51.9%, B :2022, Oloroso cask 7170, 590 b.. Rating: 17/20

No Age Specified (NAS)

Ardbeg Alligator Committee reserve, OB, 51.2%, B: 2011. Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg Almost There, 9 YO, OB, 54.1%, D: 1998, B: 2007 Rating: 13/20

Ardbeg An Oa, OB, 46.6%, B:2017 Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg Ardbog, OB, 52.3%, B: 2013 Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg Auriverdes, OB, 49.9%, B: 2014 Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg Blasda, OB, 40%, B: 2008 Rating: 11/20

Ardbeg Committee Reserve, OB, 55.3%, B: 2002, 3000 b. Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg Corryvreckan, OB, 57.1%, B: 2009 Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg Corryvrekan Committee, OB, 57.1%, B: 2008 Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg Dark Cove Committee Release, OB, 55.0%, B:2016 Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg Drum Feis Ile 2019, OB, 46%, B:2019. Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg Kelpie Committee, OB, 51.7%, B:2017 Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg Kildalton, OB, 46%, B:2014. Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg Perpetuum Distillery Release, OB, 49.2%, B:2015 Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg Rollercoaster Committee, OB, 57.3%, B: 2010 Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg Smoketrails, OB, 46%, B :2022. Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg Special White Label, OB, 80 Proof, B:1970s Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg Still young, 8 YO, OB, 58.3%, B:2006 Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg Supernova, OB, 58.9%, B: 2009 Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg Supernova SN10, OB, 60.1%, B: 2010 Rating: 12/20

Ardbeg Supernova SN2014, OB, 55%, B: 2014 Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg Supernova SN2015 Committee, OB, 54.3%, B: 2016 Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg Uigedail L7 325, OB, 54.2%, B: 2008 Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg Uigedail, OB, 54.2%, B:2013. Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg Wee Beastie, 5 YO, OB, 47.4%, B:2021 Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg Young Uigedail “The Oogling”, OB, 59.9%, B:2006 Rating: 16/20

Ardbog, OB, 52.1%, B: 2013 Rating: 15/20

Independent bottlings (IB)

Adelphi

Ardbeg 1999, 9 YO, Adelphi, 58.5%, B: 2008, c. 626, 274 b. Rating: 16/20

Alambic Classic

Special Islay Malt (Ardbeg) 2000, 10 YO, Alambic Classique, 59.4%, B: 2010, Sherry cask 10424 Rating: 16/20

Bloomsbury Spirit

Ardbeg 1975,25 YO, Bloomsbury Spirit, 58%, B: 2001 Rating: 18/20

Cadenhead's

Ardbeg 1965, 13 YO, Cadenhead’s, 46%, B:1978 Rating: 07/20

Ardbeg 1965 sestante import, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 54.4%. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1965 Black label, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 54.4% Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1965 for Sestante White Label, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 54.4%. Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1965, 28 YO, Cadenhead’s, 54.6%, B:1993 Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1974 150^th Anniversary, 18 YO, Cadenhead's, 57.7%, B. 1992 Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1975, 19 YO, Cadenhead's, 47.3%, B: 1995 Rating: 20/20

Ardbeg 1991, 17 YO, Cadenhead's, 54.5%. B: 2008, 250 b. Rating: 13/20

Ardbeg 1991, 21 YO, Cadenhead’s, 44.7%, B: 2012, 132 b. Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1993 Authentic Collection, 23 YO, Cadenhead’s, 47.7%, B:2016 Rating: 13/20

Ardbeg 1993 Campbeltown Festival, 23 YO, Cadenhead’s, 52.4%, B:2017 Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1994, 15 YO, Cadenhead's, 56%, B: 2010, 268 b. Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1994, 15 YO, Cadenhead's, 55.7%, B: 2010, 273 b. Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1994, 16 YO, Cadenhead’s, 55.6%. B: 2010 Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg 1994, 16 YO, Cadenhead’s, 57%. B: 2010 Rating: 15/20

Corman Collins

Ardbeg 1991 For Whiskylive 2010 Spa, Corman Collins, 55.6%, B: 2010, 40 decanters. Rating: 16/20

Douglas Laing (Old Malt Cask, Platinum & Provenance)

Ardbeg 1967 Old Malt Cask, 32 YO, D. Laing, 49%, B:2000, 276 b. Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1972,OMC, 27 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B:2000, 238 b. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1972 OMC, 28 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2000, 222 b. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1972 OMC, 29 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2001, 234 b. Rating: 19/20

Ardbeggedon 1972 OMC , 29 YO, 48.4%, D. Laing, B: 2001 Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1972 OMC for Alambic Classique, 28 YO, D. Laing, 48.8%, B: 2001 Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1972 OMC sherry finish, 29 YO, D. Laing, 50%. B: 2001, 432 bottles Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1973 OMC, 27 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2000, 240 b. Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1974 OMC, 26 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2001, 252 b. Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1974 OMC, 28 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2003 Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1975 OMC, 25 YO, D.Laing, 50%, B: 2001, 363 b. Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1975 OMC, 24 YO, D. Laing, 50%, 713 b. Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1975 OMC, 25 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2000, 702 b. Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1975 OMC, 27 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2002, 198 b. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1975 OMC, 27 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2002, 342 b. Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1975 Platinum, 29 YO, D. Laing, 47.3%, B: 2004, 255 b. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1975 Platinum, 30 YO, D. Laing, 46.1%, B: 2006, 180 b. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1976 Sherry OMC, 24 YO, D. Laing 50%, B: 2000 Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1990, 10 YO, Provenance McGibbons, 43% Rating: 06/20

Ardbeg 1991 OMC Rum finish, 15 YO, D. Laing, 50%, 378 b Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg 1991 OMC for LMDW, 18 YO, D. Laing, 56.1% 90 b Rating: 12/20

Ardbeg 1991 Old Malt Cask, 18 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B:2009, ref 5449 Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1991 Platinum, 20 YO, D. Laing, 48.3%, B: 2011. 81 b. Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1992 Old Particular, 21 YO, D. Laing, 48.6%, B: 2013, DL10065, 232 b. Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1994 OMC , 10 YO, D. Laing, 50%, 363 bottles Rating: 13/20

Ardbeg 1990 Old Malt Cask, 10 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B:2000, 348 b. Rating: 15/20

Dun Eideann

Ardbeg 1973, 17 YO, Dun Eideann, 55.4%, B: 2001, c. 3933. Rating: 19/20

Duncan Taylor

Ardbeg 1993, 15 YO, D. Taylor, 58.9%, B: 2009, c. 1724 Rating: 16/20

Duthie's

Ardbeg 1975, Duthie's, 46%, B: 1993 Rating: 16/20

Elements of Islay

Ar 10, Elements of Islay, 52.4%, B:2018. Rating: 17/20

Elixir Distillers

Ardbeg 18 YO 10th Anniversary Whisky Show, Elixir Distillers, 55.9%, B:2018. Rating: 17/20

First Editions

Ardbeg 1993, The First Editions, 59.3%, B: 2015, 120 b. Rating: 17/20

Gordon & MacPhail

Ardbeg 1958, 18 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 70 Proof Rating: 13/20

Ardbeg 1965, 14 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 70 Proof, B: 1980. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1972 Connoisseur’s Choice, 13 YO, G&M, 40%, B:1985. Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1974 , 29 YO, G&M, 43%, B: 2003 Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1975, 12 YO, G&M, 40%, B:1997 Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1993, 12 YO, G&M, 43%. B. 2005 Rating: 15/20

Jack Wiebers World Whisky

Ardbeg 2000, 7 YO, JWWW, 53.3%, B: 2007, c. 40158 Rating: 16/20

Kingsbury

Ardbeg 1967, 29 YO, Kingsbury, 52%, B:1996, c. 923 Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1972, 28 YO, Kingsbury, 49.2%. Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1974, 26 YO, Kingsbury, 50.0%. Rating: 20/20

La Maison du Whisky, Artist

Ardbeg 1991 Artist over 30 years, LMDW, 47.7%, B :2023, cask 1900657. Rating: 18/20

Malts of Scotland

Ardbeg 2000, 18 YO, Malts of Scotland, 51.5%, B:2018, c.180106, 525 b. Rating: 16/20

Moon Import

Ardbeg 1966. Moon, 46%, B: 1987, c. 2443, 264 bottles. Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1966, Moon, 46%, B: 1987, c 2445, 264 bottles Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1966, Moon, 46%, B: 1987, c. 348, 360 bottles Rating: 17/20

Murray McDavid (MMD)

Ardbeg 1993, 18 YO, MMD, 56.9%, B: 2011, 245 b. Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1993, 18 YO, MMD, 56.5%, B: 2011, 306 b. Rating: 15/20

North Star

Ardbeg 2005, 12 YO, North Star, 51.9%, B:2017 Rating: 15/20

Private Bottling

Ardbeg 1989 For Societa Dei Mandibolari, 15 YO, Giuseppe Gambi, 40%, B:2004, 120 b. Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1991 for Giorgio d’Ambrosio, 18 YO, 50%, B: 2009, 120 b. Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1991 Private Cask, 27 YO, 48.5%, B:2018, cask O2/54-4 Rating: 16/20

Samaroli

Fragment of Scotland Islay (Ardbeg) 1973, Samaroli, 57%, B: 1998 Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1973 20th Anniversary, Samaroli, 57.0%, B: 1998 Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1974, 15 YO, Samaroli, 57%, B:1999 Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1974, Samaroli, 59%, B:1983 Rating: 17/20

Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS)

Ardbeg 1974 33.11, SMWS, 56.0%, B:1991 Rating: 19/20

Ardbeg 1974 33.12, SMWS, 56.2%, B:1991 Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1975 33.5, SMWS, 55.7%, B:1987. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1998 33.73, 10 YO, SMWS, 57.8%, B: 2008, 782 b. Rating: 04/20

Ardbeg 1998 33.72 , 10 YO, SMWS, 57.2%, B: 2008, 255 b. Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg 1998 33.76 A civilised scout camp, 10 YO, SMWS, 56.3%, B: 2009, 242 b. Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1998 33.78 Leaves little flickering fires, 11 YO, SMWS, 55.4%, B: 2009, 198 b. Rating: 15/20

Ardbeg 2005 33.117, 7 YO, SMWS 64.3%, B: 2012, 151 b. Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg 2005 33.125, 7 YO, SMWS, 59.7%, B: 2013 Rating: 14/20

Ardbeg 2005 33.12, 7 YO, SMWS, 64.6%, B: 2013 Rating: 15/20

Scott's selection

Ardbeg 1992, 15 YO, Scott’s selection, 51.6%, B: 2007 Rating: 14/20

Sestante

Ardbeg 1972, 13 YO, Sestante, 43%, B: 1996 Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1973, 15 YO, Sestante, 53.4%, B: 1988 Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1974, 22 YO, Sestante, 40%, B:1997 Rating: 16/20

Signatory

Ardbeg 1967 Dark Oloroso, 30 YO, Signatory, 52%, B: 1997, c. 578. Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1967 Pale Oloroso, Signatory, 53.7%, B: 1995, c.575 Rating: 18/20

Ardbeg 1974, Signatory, 51.3%, B: 1998, c. 654, 260 b. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1991 For Kirsch Whisky, 25 YO, Signatory, 51.0%, B:2016, c. 2045302, 279 b. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1998 SFTC for LMDW, 18 YO, Signatory, 56.6%, B: 2016, c. 1776 Rating: 12/20

Silver Seal (Sestante)

Ardbeg 1972, 28 YO, Silver Seal, 43%, B: 2001, 288 b. Rating: 16/20

Ardbeg 1976 First Bottling, 25 YO, Silver Seal, 50%, B:2001. Rating: 17/20

Ardbeg 1976, 25 YO, Silver Seal, 50%, B: 2002, 146 b. Rating: 15/20

Dunyvaig (Ardbeg) 1993 for Bar Metro, 16 YO, Silver Seal (sestante), 50%, B: 2009 Rating: 17/20

Single Malt Circle

Ardbeg 1974, Single Malt Circle, 55.1%, B: 1993, c. 4377 Rating: 17/20

Single Malts of Scotland

Ardbeg Still Young 2000, 7 YO, SMOS, 62.2%, B: 2007 Rating: 14/20

Speciality Drinks/ Elements of Islay

Ar3 Elements of Islay,Speciality Drinks, 52.3%, B:2013. Rating: 13/20

Ar5 Elements of Islay, Speciality Drinks, 57.8%, B: 2014 Rating: 15/20

Ar 7 Elements of Islay, OB, 56.3%, B:2016 Rating: 17/20

Whisky broker

Ardbeg 1992, 21 YO, Whiskybroker, 42.5%, B: 2013. Rating: 16/20

The Whisky Fair

Still very young Islay single malt (Ardbeg) 2000 refill sherry, Whiskyfair, 62.6%, B: 2007 Rating: 12/20

Wilson & Morgan

Ardbeg 1976, 20 YO, Wilson & Morgan, 43%, B: 1996, c.f 409/95. Rating: 17/20

Official/original bottlings (OB)
Age
Ardbeg Ten, OB, 46%. B:2005	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 10 YO Dark Green Label, OB, 70 Proof, B: 1970s.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 10 YO, OB (Allied Distillers), 40%, B: circa 1985.	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg 10 YO White Label, OB, 80 Proof, B:1960s	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 10 YO “Clear Bottle” (Spirit SPA import), OB, 40%, B: 1980s (75 cl)	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg Ten Mor, 10 YO, OB, 57.3%, B: 2007, 1000 b.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 12 YO for France, OB, 80 Proof, B: 1966	Rating: 20/20
Ardbeg 13 YO Anthology, OB, 46%, B:2024.	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg Anthology 14 YO, OB, 46%, B :2024.	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg 17 YO, OB, 40%	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 17 YO, OB, 40%, B :2024	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 YO, OB, 46.2%, B:2019	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg Traigh Bhan Batch 4, 19 YO, OB, 46.2%, B:2022	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg Traigh Bhan 19 YO batch 5, OB, 46.2%, B :2024	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 21 YO, OB, 46%, B:2016	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 23 YO, OB, 46.3%, B:2018	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg 23 YO Vintage Y2K, OB, 46%, B :2024.	Rating: 13/20
Ardbeg 25 YO, OB, 46%, B :2023.	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg 30 YO, OB, 40%, B: 1990s.	Rating: 13/20

Vintages
Ardbeg 1965, 39 YO, OB, 42.1%, B:2004.	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg 1972 for Belgium, 32 YO, OB, 44.2%, B: 2004, c.3038, 148 b.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1974 Provenance for Asia, OB, 55%, B:2000	Rating: 20/20
Ardbeg 1974, OB, 50.7%, B:2006, cask 4989	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1975 Hand bottled for France, OB, 45.2%, B:1999, c. 4702.
Ardbeg 1975, OB, 43%, B:2000	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1975 ex-oloroso (Feis Ile 2005), OB, 47.2%, c. 4704	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1975 Feis Ile 2005, 29 YO, OB, 47.2%, B:2006, c.4704, 270 b.	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1975 ex-Fino, Feis Ile 2006, OB, 46.3%, c. 4717	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1975 Sherry, 31 YO, OB, 53.7%, B:2006, c. 1378, 453 b.	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1975 Sherry, 31 YO, OB, 54.2%, B: 2006, c. 1375, 522 b.	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1975, 31 YO, OB, 54.2%, B:2006, c. 1375, 522 b.	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1976 Feis Ile 2002, OB, 53.1%, B: 2002, c. 2390, 494 b.	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1976 Manager’s Dram, OB, 56%, B: 1999, c. 2391	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1976 for Velier, OB, 53.5%, B: 2002, c. 2396, 492 b.	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1976, 31 YO, OB, 52.4%, cask 2397	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1977, OB, 46%	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1978, OB, 43%, B: 1998.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg Kildalton 1980, OB, 57.6%, B:2004, 1300 b.	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1995 For Feis Ile 2010, 14 YO, OB, 53.3%, c. 2761, 228 b.	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg Renaissance 1998, 10 YO, OB, 55.9%, B: 2008	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1998 Feis Ile 2011, OB, 55.1%, B: 2011. 1200 b.	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg Galileo 1999, OB, 49%, B:2012	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 2001 Private Reserve Wu Dram Clan, 20 YO, OB, 46.6%, B:2021, c. 348, 155 b.	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg Day 2024, D:2011, 12 ans, OB, 58,3%, B :2023, Amontillado cask 2453, 638 b.	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg 2006 For Sweden, 15 YO, OB, 51.9%, B :2022, Oloroso cask 7170, 590 b..	Rating: 17/20


No Age Specified (NAS)
Ardbeg Alligator Committee reserve, OB, 51.2%, B: 2011.	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg Almost There, 9 YO, OB, 54.1%, D: 1998, B: 2007	Rating: 13/20
Ardbeg An Oa, OB, 46.6%, B:2017	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg Ardbog, OB, 52.3%, B: 2013	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg Auriverdes, OB, 49.9%, B: 2014	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg Blasda, OB, 40%, B: 2008	Rating: 11/20
Ardbeg Committee Reserve, OB, 55.3%, B: 2002, 3000 b.	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg Corryvreckan, OB, 57.1%, B: 2009	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg Corryvrekan Committee, OB, 57.1%, B: 2008	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg Dark Cove Committee Release, OB, 55.0%, B:2016	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg Drum Feis Ile 2019, OB, 46%, B:2019.	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg Kelpie Committee, OB, 51.7%, B:2017	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg Kildalton, OB, 46%, B:2014.	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg Perpetuum Distillery Release, OB, 49.2%, B:2015	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg Rollercoaster Committee, OB, 57.3%, B: 2010	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg Smoketrails, OB, 46%, B :2022.	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg Special White Label, OB, 80 Proof, B:1970s	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg Still young, 8 YO, OB, 58.3%, B:2006	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg Supernova, OB, 58.9%, B: 2009	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg Supernova SN10, OB, 60.1%, B: 2010	Rating: 12/20
Ardbeg Supernova SN2014, OB, 55%, B: 2014	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg Supernova SN2015 Committee, OB, 54.3%, B: 2016	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg Uigedail L7 325, OB, 54.2%, B: 2008	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg Uigedail, OB, 54.2%, B:2013.	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg Wee Beastie, 5 YO, OB, 47.4%, B:2021	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg Young Uigedail “The Oogling”, OB, 59.9%, B:2006	Rating: 16/20
Ardbog, OB, 52.1%, B: 2013	Rating: 15/20

Independent bottlings (IB)
Adelphi
Ardbeg 1999, 9 YO, Adelphi, 58.5%, B: 2008, c. 626, 274 b.	Rating: 16/20

Alambic Classic
Special Islay Malt (Ardbeg) 2000, 10 YO, Alambic Classique, 59.4%, B: 2010, Sherry cask 10424	Rating: 16/20

Bloomsbury Spirit
Ardbeg 1975,25 YO, Bloomsbury Spirit, 58%, B: 2001	Rating: 18/20

Cadenhead's
Ardbeg 1965, 13 YO, Cadenhead’s, 46%, B:1978	Rating: 07/20
Ardbeg 1965 sestante import, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 54.4%.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1965 Black label, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 54.4%	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1965 for Sestante White Label, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 54.4%.	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1965, 28 YO, Cadenhead’s, 54.6%, B:1993	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1974 150^th Anniversary, 18 YO, Cadenhead's, 57.7%, B. 1992	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1975, 19 YO, Cadenhead's, 47.3%, B: 1995	Rating: 20/20
Ardbeg 1991, 17 YO, Cadenhead's, 54.5%. B: 2008, 250 b.	Rating: 13/20
Ardbeg 1991, 21 YO, Cadenhead’s, 44.7%, B: 2012, 132 b.	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1993 Authentic Collection, 23 YO, Cadenhead’s, 47.7%, B:2016	Rating: 13/20
Ardbeg 1993 Campbeltown Festival, 23 YO, Cadenhead’s, 52.4%, B:2017	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1994, 15 YO, Cadenhead's, 56%, B: 2010, 268 b.	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1994, 15 YO, Cadenhead's, 55.7%, B: 2010, 273 b.	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1994, 16 YO, Cadenhead’s, 55.6%. B: 2010	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg 1994, 16 YO, Cadenhead’s, 57%. B: 2010	Rating: 15/20

Corman Collins
Ardbeg 1991 For Whiskylive 2010 Spa, Corman Collins, 55.6%, B: 2010, 40 decanters.	Rating: 16/20

Douglas Laing (Old Malt Cask, Platinum & Provenance)
Ardbeg 1967 Old Malt Cask, 32 YO, D. Laing, 49%, B:2000, 276 b.	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1972,OMC, 27 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B:2000, 238 b.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1972 OMC, 28 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2000, 222 b.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1972 OMC, 29 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2001, 234 b.	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeggedon 1972 OMC , 29 YO, 48.4%, D. Laing, B: 2001	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1972 OMC for Alambic Classique, 28 YO, D. Laing, 48.8%, B: 2001	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1972 OMC sherry finish, 29 YO, D. Laing, 50%. B: 2001, 432 bottles	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1973 OMC, 27 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2000, 240 b.	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1974 OMC, 26 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2001, 252 b.	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1974 OMC, 28 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2003	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1975 OMC, 25 YO, D.Laing, 50%, B: 2001, 363 b.	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1975 OMC, 24 YO, D. Laing, 50%, 713 b.	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1975 OMC, 25 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2000, 702 b.	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1975 OMC, 27 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2002, 198 b.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1975 OMC, 27 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B: 2002, 342 b.	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1975 Platinum, 29 YO, D. Laing, 47.3%, B: 2004, 255 b.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1975 Platinum, 30 YO, D. Laing, 46.1%, B: 2006, 180 b.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1976 Sherry OMC, 24 YO, D. Laing 50%, B: 2000	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1990, 10 YO, Provenance McGibbons, 43%	Rating: 06/20

Ardbeg 1991 OMC Rum finish, 15 YO, D. Laing, 50%, 378 b	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg 1991 OMC for LMDW, 18 YO, D. Laing, 56.1% 90 b	Rating: 12/20
Ardbeg 1991 Old Malt Cask, 18 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B:2009, ref 5449	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1991 Platinum, 20 YO, D. Laing, 48.3%, B: 2011. 81 b.	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1992 Old Particular, 21 YO, D. Laing, 48.6%, B: 2013, DL10065, 232 b.	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1994 OMC , 10 YO, D. Laing, 50%, 363 bottles	Rating: 13/20
Ardbeg 1990 Old Malt Cask, 10 YO, D. Laing, 50%, B:2000, 348 b.	Rating: 15/20
Dun Eideann
Ardbeg 1973, 17 YO, Dun Eideann, 55.4%, B: 2001, c. 3933.	Rating: 19/20

Duncan Taylor
Ardbeg 1993, 15 YO, D. Taylor, 58.9%, B: 2009, c. 1724	Rating: 16/20

Duthie's
Ardbeg 1975, Duthie's, 46%, B: 1993	Rating: 16/20

Elements of Islay
Ar 10, Elements of Islay, 52.4%, B:2018.	Rating: 17/20

Elixir Distillers
Ardbeg 18 YO 10th Anniversary Whisky Show, Elixir Distillers, 55.9%, B:2018.	Rating: 17/20

First Editions
Ardbeg 1993, The First Editions, 59.3%, B: 2015, 120 b.	Rating: 17/20

Gordon & MacPhail
Ardbeg 1958, 18 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 70 Proof	Rating: 13/20
Ardbeg 1965, 14 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 70 Proof, B: 1980.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1972 Connoisseur’s Choice, 13 YO, G&M, 40%, B:1985.	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1974 , 29 YO, G&M, 43%, B: 2003	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1975, 12 YO, G&M, 40%, B:1997	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1993, 12 YO, G&M, 43%. B. 2005	Rating: 15/20

Jack Wiebers World Whisky
Ardbeg 2000, 7 YO, JWWW, 53.3%, B: 2007, c. 40158	Rating: 16/20

Kingsbury
Ardbeg 1967, 29 YO, Kingsbury, 52%, B:1996, c. 923	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1972, 28 YO, Kingsbury, 49.2%.	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1974, 26 YO, Kingsbury, 50.0%.	Rating: 20/20

La Maison du Whisky, Artist
Ardbeg 1991 Artist over 30 years, LMDW, 47.7%, B :2023, cask 1900657.	Rating: 18/20

Malts of Scotland
Ardbeg 2000, 18 YO, Malts of Scotland, 51.5%, B:2018, c.180106, 525 b.	Rating: 16/20

Moon Import
Ardbeg 1966. Moon, 46%, B: 1987, c. 2443, 264 bottles.	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1966, Moon, 46%, B: 1987, c 2445, 264 bottles	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1966, Moon, 46%, B: 1987, c. 348, 360 bottles	Rating: 17/20

Murray McDavid (MMD)
Ardbeg 1993, 18 YO, MMD, 56.9%, B: 2011, 245 b.	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1993, 18 YO, MMD, 56.5%, B: 2011, 306 b.	Rating: 15/20

North Star
Ardbeg 2005, 12 YO, North Star, 51.9%, B:2017	Rating: 15/20

Private Bottling
Ardbeg 1989 For Societa Dei Mandibolari, 15 YO, Giuseppe Gambi, 40%, B:2004, 120 b.	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1991 for Giorgio d’Ambrosio, 18 YO, 50%, B: 2009, 120 b.	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1991 Private Cask, 27 YO, 48.5%, B:2018, cask O2/54-4	Rating: 16/20


Samaroli
Fragment of Scotland Islay (Ardbeg) 1973, Samaroli, 57%, B: 1998	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1973 20th Anniversary, Samaroli, 57.0%, B: 1998	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1974, 15 YO, Samaroli, 57%, B:1999	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1974, Samaroli, 59%, B:1983	Rating: 17/20

Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS)
Ardbeg 1974 33.11, SMWS, 56.0%, B:1991	Rating: 19/20
Ardbeg 1974 33.12, SMWS, 56.2%, B:1991	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1975 33.5, SMWS, 55.7%, B:1987.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1998 33.73, 10 YO, SMWS, 57.8%, B: 2008, 782 b.	Rating: 04/20
Ardbeg 1998 33.72 , 10 YO, SMWS, 57.2%, B: 2008, 255 b.	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg 1998 33.76 A civilised scout camp, 10 YO, SMWS, 56.3%, B: 2009, 242 b.	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1998 33.78 Leaves little flickering fires, 11 YO, SMWS, 55.4%, B: 2009, 198 b.	Rating: 15/20
Ardbeg 2005 33.117, 7 YO, SMWS 64.3%, B: 2012, 151 b.	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg 2005 33.125, 7 YO, SMWS, 59.7%, B: 2013	Rating: 14/20
Ardbeg 2005 33.12, 7 YO, SMWS, 64.6%, B: 2013	Rating: 15/20

Scott's selection
Ardbeg 1992, 15 YO, Scott’s selection, 51.6%, B: 2007	Rating: 14/20

Sestante
Ardbeg 1972, 13 YO, Sestante, 43%, B: 1996	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1973, 15 YO, Sestante, 53.4%, B: 1988	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1974, 22 YO, Sestante, 40%, B:1997	Rating: 16/20

Signatory
Ardbeg 1967 Dark Oloroso, 30 YO, Signatory, 52%, B: 1997, c. 578.	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1967 Pale Oloroso, Signatory, 53.7%, B: 1995, c.575	Rating: 18/20
Ardbeg 1974, Signatory, 51.3%, B: 1998, c. 654, 260 b.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1991 For Kirsch Whisky, 25 YO, Signatory, 51.0%, B:2016, c. 2045302, 279 b.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1998 SFTC for LMDW, 18 YO, Signatory, 56.6%, B: 2016, c. 1776	Rating: 12/20

Silver Seal (Sestante)
Ardbeg 1972, 28 YO, Silver Seal, 43%, B: 2001, 288 b.	Rating: 16/20
Ardbeg 1976 First Bottling, 25 YO, Silver Seal, 50%, B:2001.	Rating: 17/20
Ardbeg 1976, 25 YO, Silver Seal, 50%, B: 2002, 146 b.	Rating: 15/20
Dunyvaig (Ardbeg) 1993 for Bar Metro, 16 YO, Silver Seal (sestante), 50%, B: 2009	Rating: 17/20

Single Malt Circle
Ardbeg 1974, Single Malt Circle, 55.1%, B: 1993, c. 4377	Rating: 17/20

Single Malts of Scotland
Ardbeg Still Young 2000, 7 YO, SMOS, 62.2%, B: 2007	Rating: 14/20

Speciality Drinks/ Elements of Islay
Ar3 Elements of Islay,Speciality Drinks, 52.3%, B:2013.	Rating: 13/20
Ar5 Elements of Islay, Speciality Drinks, 57.8%, B: 2014	Rating: 15/20
Ar 7 Elements of Islay, OB, 56.3%, B:2016	Rating: 17/20

Whisky broker
Ardbeg 1992, 21 YO, Whiskybroker, 42.5%, B: 2013.	Rating: 16/20

The Whisky Fair
Still very young Islay single malt (Ardbeg) 2000 refill sherry, Whiskyfair, 62.6%, B: 2007	Rating: 12/20

Wilson & Morgan
Ardbeg 1976, 20 YO, Wilson & Morgan, 43%, B: 1996, c.f 409/95.	Rating: 17/20