Ardbeg ages whisky in Napa Valley casks

Islay-based Ardbeg Distillery has released the third edition in its Smoketrails series, which is partially aged in red wine casks from Napa Valley.

Part of Ardbeg's Travel Series, Smoketrails Napa Valley is the distillery's first release combining Bourbon barrels with Cabernet Sauvignon red wine casks from California’s Napa Valley. The travel retail exclusive series explores how casks worldwide influence Ardbeg’s signature peaty style. For previous Smoketrails editions, the distillery's whisky creators have sourced Manzanilla sherry casks from Spain and Côte Rôtie wine casks from France. According to Ardbeg, the rarely used Cabernet Sauvignon casks proved an ideal companion for the distillery's classic Bourbon-aged whiskies. The result is an expression with aromas of rose water, smoked plums and jasmine, with 'more familiar Ardbeggian notes' of baking bread and menthol. Gillian Macdonald, master blender at Ardbeg, said: “For each release in our Smoketrails series, the task of our whisky creation team, led by Dr Bill Lumsden, is to hunt out casks that take Ardbeg on a journey into the unknown. For the Ardbeg Smoketrails Napa Valley Edition, we have unearthed something very special. "By marrying Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks with classic Ardbeg, we’ve created a deeply floral and fragrant whisky, the like of which travellers will not have tasted before. Its distinctive blush colour leads to floral aromas such as rose water and jasmine. Then, tastes of smoked plums, espresso coffee and eucalyptus come to the fore. It is an Ardbeggian adventure in a bottle.” Ardbeg Smoketrails Napa Valley Edition was launched in January 2025 exclusively at key international airports. The whisky is offered at 46% ABV and retails for £67 (US$87). A limited number of bottles will also be available at the distillery's visitor centre in Islay. At The Travel Retail Masters 2024, Ardbeg Smoketrails Napa Valley Edition was recognised with a Master medal. Earlier this year, The Glenmorangie Company opened bookings for its new Ardbeg House hotel, set to open on Islay in autumn 2025. Last month, Ardbeg released a limited edition bottling, Eureka!, to celebrate its dedicated fanbase’s 25th anniversary.