ARDBEG - Anthology - The Unicorn's Tale - 14 years old - Madeira & Ex-Bourbon Casks - 46%
Ardbeg is a distillery located on the island of Islay , Scotland . It is one of the oldest distilleries on the island and its whiskies have a reputation for being among the peatiest. Ardbeg was the first whisky to travel to space: The distillery was the first to experiment with extraterrestrial aging when it sent part of its production to the International Space Station in 2011 to examine the effects of weightlessness on flavor. The whisky is produced on the site since 1798, and it was first marketed in 1815, the same year as its close neighbour Laphroaig. Ardbeg was an immediate success, with demand for its spirit high for use in blends, but from 1838 the distillery entered a prolonged phase of ownership changes and bankruptcies, until it was finally closed in 1981. It reopened in 1989, but was only operational for two months a year. Finally, in 1997, it was bought by Glenmorangie and production resumed full time. The distillery is still owned by the French group luxury LVMH , within its Glenmorangie group .
Ardbeg's two stills produce one million litres of spirit annually, which is available only as Single Malt . The whisky is matured mainly in Bourbon casks , with a small portion aged in Sherry casks . It is Heavily peaty , but does not have the same maritime character as many Islay whiskies; Ardbeg is known for its smoky, spicy and sweet character.
A Unicorn's Tale is the second edition in Ardbeg's Anthology series , following on from the success of the first edition, Harpy's Tale. Each edition reimagines a mythological beast that could be real, or could be a misguided glimpse of one of the beasts natives of Islay. The story of the Ardbeg Unicorn begins one dark night after a party at the distillery, when the clatter of hooves can be heard in the yard. The workers suspect Rory, the greedy Shetland pony, of the distillery, known for its bad temper and devilishly sweet taste, but when they venture outside to investigate, they see a horse-like creature rearing up against the full moon, with a horn protruding from its head. . The next day, rumors circulated about Scotland's national animal…
A Unicorn's Tale is a 14 year old single malt, aged in Bourbon casks and casks that previously contained Madeira wine .
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