Ardbeg Smoketrails Napa Valley Edition

Volume: 1 litre | Alcohol content: 46% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

For the third Smoketrails edition, Ardbeg marries whisky matured in Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks from California’s Napa Valley with Ardbeg matured in traditional bourbon casks. This is the distillery’s first release to use this particular cask combination. The limited travel-retail release contains 1 litre at 46%.

The Cabernet Sauvignon casks bring a distinctly floral dimension to Ardbeg’s smoky character. Rosewater, jasmine and smoked plums mingle with rye bread and campfire embers. Truffles, tarry rope, espresso and old leather add darker accents, while menthol, eucalyptus and camphor provide a cooling contrast.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose combines deep smoke with rose sweets, Turkish delight, freshly baked rye bread, smoked plums, scented candle wax and campfire embers. A few drops of water bring out jasmine, rosewater and lavender, accompanied by a very subtle hint of menthol.
• Palate: On the palate, the whisky feels soft and coats the mouth. Gentle flavours of freshly baked bread, black olives and rose-flavoured chocolate truffles follow. Tarry rope and espresso macchiato add to the picture, with old leather appearing as a subtle nuance.
• Finish: Deep smoke and oak notes develop in the lingering finish. Menthol, eucalyptus and camphor lend it a cooling freshness.

Distillery/Bottler:

John Macdougall licensed Ardbeg on Islay’s south coast in 1815. After difficult decades and another closure in 1991, the distillery was acquired by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 and returned to permanent operation. Today, Ardbeg belongs to Moët Hennessy within LVMH. The Napa Valley Edition is an official distillery bottling.

Through the Smoketrails range, Ardbeg’s Whisky Creation Team, led by Dr Bill Lumsden, explores how casks from different places complement the distillery’s peaty style. Following Manzanilla sherry casks from Spain and Côte-Rôtie wine casks from France, Cabernet Sauvignon casks from California took centre stage for the third edition. Ardbeg rarely uses casks of this kind.

Facts: