Ardbeg - whiskey, which is called the best in the world. This is a single malt drink born on the island of Isla. For more than two centuries, the Scottish island has been producing such popular alcohol and carefully preserves all the secrets associated with its manufacture. “Ardbeg” in its class received the title of the most peat drink. The product begins its history in 1815 under the auspices of the Mac Douglas dynasty. But the first mention of Ardbeg whiskey sounds at the end of the XVIII century. The history of this alcoholic product is as interesting and rich as its taste.
Three birthdays of Ardbeg
In the century before last, no more than three thousand people lived on the island of Isla. And so few people accounted for as many as 21 distilleries. Today, the population of the island is much larger, and distilleries - less. Only eight enterprises managed to withstand fierce competition. One of them is a winery that makes Ardbeg (whiskey). The plant is located on the south coast, east of Port Ellen.
The history of the famous drink begins in the XVIII century. But the distillery, unknown to anyone at that time, was closed by tax authorities for two decades. Production resumed in 1815. The head of the enterprise was the family of Mac Douglov. Unlike their predecessors, Mac Dougly took care of the license, and now no tax service could find fault with them.
Islay Island is located in a swampy area, everything is saturated with peat aroma here, from land to air. Because of this, Ardbeg whiskey has a bright, specific taste. The composition of the drink includes sea salt, which makes it not only peaty, but also the presence of seaweed is felt. A magnificent composition is complemented by a smoky aroma. Throughout the past century, the company managed to function only on a third of its entire capacity, so not many gourmets were able to enjoy the divine taste of alcohol. In 1981, the work of the factory was stopped, and its workers were fired.
The third time Ardbeg was reborn in 1989, but until 1996 was not in great demand. In 1997, the brand, along with all production, was acquired by the Glenmoranzhi Louis Veton Moet Hennessy concern. Nearly one and a half million pounds were invested in the new industry, which made it possible to expand the capacity of the enterprise. In 1998, the plant began to function in full force.
Secrets of the drink and its composition
The mystery of the manufacture of the Ardbeg product (whiskey) lies not only in the use of innovative equipment, but also in the use of manual labor. Barley, which is noted in the composition of the drink, is scattered on the floor of the plant. Workers mix thoroughly and turn it over with their own hands until the first sprouts appear. To create whiskey, malt is also used, which is dried on peat smoke, which causes the smoky smoked smell of the drink.
During the infusion, Ardbeg is saturated with seaweed aromas and sea vapors. The warehouse where the product is stored is located near the sea, so waves often pour barrels of whiskey. For the manufacture of "Ardbeg" exclusively spring pure water of peat sources is used. The manufacturer's fermentation process takes 2.5 days, and this is much longer than other manufacturers.
Gaelic Root Whiskey
In 2008, a decade after the third revival of the Ardbeg brand, the world saw Ardbeg Corryvreckan whiskey. The name Corryvreckan has Gaelic roots. This is the name of the strait that separates the islands of Skarba and Jura. On the back sticker of the bottle is a map with a mark where the winery and the strait are located.
Whiskey Corryvreckan is included in the list of standard releases of the Ardbeg winery. It looks like an oily bronze-yellow drink with a reddish tint. This whiskey has the smell of dry peat with a brackish-iodine note. Developing, the drink acquires a distinct shade of prunes. “Plunging” deeper, you can feel the aromas of dried fruits: dried pears, figs, dried apples and dusty raisins. But the taste of Ardbeg Corryvreckan is different from year to year.
Noble and controversial variety
Ardbeg Uigeadail whiskey is popular with gourmets. The first wave of the smell of the drink opens with the aroma of sulfur and sea smoke. Then the amber of overripe fruit comes into play. Here you can clearly feel the cloying taste of red loose apples, hawthorn, seized with frost, current persimmons and dates. At first glance, this combination seems fatal, but in fact it is, although contradictory, but quite noble.
Ardbeg Uigeadail is characterized by an oily and insufficiently dense body, and the taste of this variety is a continuation of the smell. Whiskey leaves a long aftertaste that reminds the domestic consumer of the aftertaste of Vishnevsky medical ointment.
Ten Year Old Whiskey
If we talk about the Ardbeg brand, then an association with 10-year-old Ardbeg (whiskey) immediately comes to mind. It features a natural fawn color with amber tones. A fantastically rich and rich aroma combines chords of chocolate and cinnamon. Stunning floral notes are interwoven with the powerful sound of melon, smoked fish, sea wave and coffee. It tastes incredibly dense and buttery - peat and malt show themselves in equal portions. Therefore, the whiskey “Ardbeg 10 years” (Ardbeg TEN) is at the same time a smoke, tart and sweet.
Ardbeg today
Even today, Ardbeg is whiskey, which is produced in small quantities: about three hundred thousand gallons. And in 2011, Ardbeg, together with NanoRacks LLC (a US research company), sent samples of the drink into orbit, which they rested there in oak barrels until 2014. The purpose of the experiment is to study the effect of gravity on the ripening process of alcohols, or rather, on terpenes, which are responsible for the taste of the product.
The alcohol spills of this label are distinguished by their diversity, there are 28 species. Only regulars of a special club, which was founded back in 1945, were able to enjoy some of them. The new owners of the winery managed to win more than one award for their product.
And drinks produced under the name Ardbeg are incredibly popular among collectors. If you are a beginner, then the sharp, peat and hard taste of this whiskey can discourage you from drinking great drinks for a lifetime.
Other varieties of famous whiskey
In addition to the aforementioned varieties of Ardbeg whiskey, the price of which exceeds three thousand rubles per bottle, there are some other types of spills. So, there is Ardbeg Blasda, which can be considered an experimental drink, because it has almost no characteristic peat flavor. This product has a delicate and light taste, which is not typical of this kind of alcohol.
There is still Ardbeg Galileo - a novelty in the production of Ardbeg. This variety is aged in barrels in which Marsala was previously located . This makes the taste of the drink unique and original.
According to gourmets
Ardbeg whiskey reviews receive only the best, or none at all. People who know a lot about alcoholic beverages describe it as something grandiose, unique and inimitable. Those who appreciate in alcohol masterpieces only their ability to intoxicate, say that this is not a product intended for consumption. They do not like his taste. But such reviews are extremely few. Indeed, most gourmets “Ardbeg” like so much that they can not imagine a single feast without it.
Admirers of the drink continuously praise its taste and aroma. They note the unusualness and uniqueness of the drink. People say that such an aftertaste is impossible to forget. In addition, many individuals do not want to do this, each time pampering himself with such a luxurious alcohol.