ARDBEG - Anthology - The Unicorn's Tale - 14 years - Madeira & Ex-Bourbon Casks - 46%
Ardbeg is an iconic distillery located on the island of Islay, in Scotland, renowned for its intensely peated single malt whiskies. Recognized as one of the oldest distilleries on Islay, Ardbeg has a rich and fascinating history, having started production in 1798 and marketing its first whiskies in 1815, the same year as its famous neighbor Laphroaig. A pioneer in innovation, Ardbeg was also the first distillery to explore aging whisky in space in 2011, sending some of its whisky to the International Space Station to study the impact of weightlessness on aromas. Despite several difficult periods, including changes of ownership and a closure in 1981, Ardbeg was revived in 1989 and then definitively relaunched in 1997 under the Glenmorangie group, now owned by the prestigious French luxury group LVMH.
With two stills, the distillery produces about one million liters of alcohol annually, marketed exclusively as single malt. This whisky is mainly matured in Bourbon casks, with additional maturation in Sherry or Madeira casks. Ardbeg captivates with its powerful and unique aromatic profile, marked by intense peat, smoky, spicy, and sweet notes, but it also stands out by having a less maritime sensation than other Islay whiskies, thus offering a seductive balance between strength and finesse.
A Unicorn's Tale is the second edition of Ardbeg's prestigious Anthology series, following the critical success of the first edition, Harpy's Tale. Each edition of this collection creatively reinterprets a mythological creature, blending Scottish legend and folklore to offer a unique sensory and narrative experience. The story of Ardbeg's unicorn is set in a mystical and nocturnal atmosphere: on a night after a party at the distillery, mysterious hoofbeats echo in the yard. The workers first suspect Rory, the Shetland pony with a strong temperament known for his insatiable appetite, but outside appears a horse-like silhouette with a horn, the figure of the mythical unicorn, Scotland's national emblem. This tale gives the whisky a legendary dimension, enhancing its appeal to enthusiasts and connoisseurs.
A Unicorn's Tale is an excellent single malt, aged 14 years, carefully matured in a combination of Bourbon casks and Madeira casks, bringing complexity, richness, and unparalleled aromatic depth.
Peated
