Ardbeg 1815

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It has taken more than 2 years for them to find their way to Canada, but the Ardbeg 1815 is finally here. KWM has access to just 2 bottles. This whisky was released on Ardbeg Day 2015 to mark the distillery’s 200th Anniversary. Unlike the Perpetuum which was a global release, the 400 bottles produced of the Ardbeg 1815 were initially only available at the distillery. When I asked how many had come to Canada, I was told: “Less than a handful!” by the importer. Details on the whisky are somewhat scarce. It was bottled at 33 years of age and 50.1% after maturing in Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Sherry. The whiskies were distilled in 1974 and 1975 and spent 8 years “marrying” in glass vessels to preserve the spirit.

Distiller’s Tasting Note

Nose: A beautiful fragrance of sweet wood smoke to start with, interwoven with a pungent aroma  reminiscent of rum and raisin ice cream. Then comes an array of scents from the bakery, croissants, brioche and freshly baked bread. Befitting a whisky of this vintage, rich notes and dark chocolate truffle are encountered, along with black cherry and aniseed.

Taste: A texture which is creamy and smooth carries into a breath-taking spectrum of flavours, jasmine and Lapsang Souchong teas, abundant sweet toffee notes, a cornucopia of spices (cinnamon, star anise, pepper & mixed spice) and juicy ripe Seville oranges. The smoke is almost unbelievably well integrated, persisting through the sumptuous taste experience, yet never overpowering the other myriad and complex flavours.

Finish: Long, with an abundance of raisins and dates. A finish as sweet as the memories it leaves behind.

700 ml