About Ardbeg 22 Year Old Twenty Something Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Situated along the southern coast of the island of Islay, Ardbeg Distillery was founded in 1815 by the MacDougall Family. By the end of the 19th century, nearly one-third of the population of the island was employed at the distillery, which became notorious for producing some of the boldest and most robust Scotch whisky in the industry. Today, the distillery remains a testament to Scottish innovation and heritage.
Ardbeg Uigeadail (pronounced "Oog-a-dal" ) Single Malt Scotch Whisky takes its name from Loch Uigeadail, which is situated 800 feet above sea level and remains the only source of pure water for the distillery. "It's one of the raw materials we must have," says Michael Heads, Ardbeg's Distillery Manager, of the water sourced from the loch. "Loch Uigeadail" translates as "the dark place" — it's got very deep, peaty water in it and it's what we require for making our bold whisky. So it's vitally important."
Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made from malted barley, which is peated to approximately 50 phenol parts per million. Once the peated barley arrives at the distillery, it is milled and mashed with water sourced from Loch Uigeadail before being fermented in washbacks made of Oregon pine. While wooden washbacks are more expensive and difficult to maintain as compared to stainless steel washbacks, they absorb a portion of the heat generated during the fermentation process and thus, create a lighter and more rich whisky. In addition, the wooden washbacks contribute estery, carbolic compounds to the whisky.
Following fermentation, which lasts for 55 hours, the wash is distilled twice, first through a copper-pot wash still and then again through a copper-pot spirit still. The spirit still is equipped with a purifier, which acts as small condenser and causes a portion of the evaporating vapors to be pumped back into the pot and then re-distilled. This purification process, which is rare in the industry, results in whisky that has a signature fresh and malty flavor.
This stunning Ardbeg is the latest release in the Ardbeg Twenty Something series. The 22 Year Old pays tribute to the whisky enthusiasts of yesteryear, born during a time when the iconic Ardbeg Distillery name was almost consigned to the history books. During a period of uncertainty for Ardbeg in the 1980s and 1990s, when the stills were near dry a handful of young whisky enthusiasts laid down a handful of casks and kept the Ardbeg spirit alive. On the nose, you can expect luscious tropical fruits fading into sweet smoke, soot and tar. Take a sip and discover fresh green apples with a crumble topping. Notes of peppermint tea and vanilla guide you towards a long smoky finish.
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About Scotch
Scotch is the most popular whisky in the world and is considered the king of them all! There are five whisky regions in Scotland (six if you count the not officially recognized Islands), and each of them produces spirits with unique properties and distinct tasting notes. (The type of grain used determents the type of the scotch.)
Malt whisky is made of malted barley, and grain whisky uses other grains like corn or wheat. Most of the time, a whisky is blended from different distilleries hence the name blended scotch, but if a malt whisky is produced in a single distillery, we get something extraordinary called a single malt.
Check out our impressive selection of scotch whiskies, find your new favorite in the Top 10 scotch whiskies, or explore our treasury of rare & hard to find scotch whiskies.
