Ardbeg ‘Eureka’ Single Malt Scotch (750ml)

In 2023, we invited some of our most loyal Committee Members to the West Maltings at the Distillery to participate in a top-secret experiment named Operation Smokescreen. Unbeknownst to them, they were influencing the next Ardbeg Committee Exclusive and a very special one, at that.

In celebration of 25 years of the Ardbeg Committee, we unveil Eureka!; a skilful marriage of PX sherry casks combined with roasted malt spirit matured in bourbon casks and offered at 52.2% alcohol strength. Anticipate juicy red apples and plump cherries on the nose, with signature smoke and fresh coffee granules. The palate explodes with nut toffee brittle, raisin fudge and dark fruits, running to a long and chewy finish with sweet treacle toffee and burning embers.

So, how exactly did our Whisky Creation Team land on this Eureka! moment? It began with Operation Smokescreen, a clandestine experiment at Ardbeg Day 2023. We invited around 100 esteemed Committee Members from 15 countries to join us for a tasting with a difference. The twist? Only one person in the room knew what, precisely, was in those glasses.

Committee Members tasted 5 different extreme versions of Ardbeg matured in undisclosed cask types and compared them to our benchmark, Ardbeg Ten. Led by our Head of Whisky Creation, Gillian Macdonald, participants were invited to discuss, debate and document the relative merits of each sample, scribing their innermost thoughts on our trusty Drink Tank.

After lots of note-taking and vote-making, a key finding emerged. This particular sample of Committee Members had a particular penchant for our smoky spirit matured in Pedro Ximinz sherry casks