Ardbeg Arrrrrrrdbeg 2020 Committee Release

2020 Committee Release. Arrrrrrrdbeg. Ardbeg — the 2020 annual Ardbeg Day Committee Release, wholly matured in ex-rye whiskey casks from American rye whiskey production, presenting Ardbeg’s signature heavily peated Islay single malt through the lens of rye whiskey barrel influence for a unique smoke-and-spice combination unavailable in any other Ardbeg expression.

The Ardbeg Committee is the distillery’s global fan membership programme, and each year’s Ardbeg Day (the first Saturday in June) is celebrated with a limited Committee Release bottling available first to Committee members. These annual expressions present experimental cask finishes or unusual production approaches applied to the heavily peated Ardbeg distillate — the 2020 Arrrrrrrdbeg being one of the more unusual, using ex-rye whiskey casks that carry the grain spice and pepper character of American rye alongside Ardbeg’s phenolic smoke. Browse all Scotch whisky at Wooden Cork.

Specs

• Distillery: Ardbeg, Port Ellen, Islay (est. 1815)
• Region: Islay, Scotland
• Casks: Wholly ex-rye whiskey casks
• Release: Ardbeg Day 2020, Committee bottling
• Size: 750ml

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ardbeg Committee Release?

An annual limited bottling released first to Ardbeg Committee members on Ardbeg Day (first Saturday in June). Each year’s expression features an unusual cask or experimental approach unavailable in the standard range. The 2020 Arrrrrrrdbeg is the Committee Release for that year.

What does ex-rye cask maturation add to Ardbeg?

American rye whiskey casks carry residual grain spice, pepper, and caraway character from the high-rye mashbill whiskeys that previously occupied them. Applied to Ardbeg’s heavy peat smoke, the rye cask adds a spicy, peppery dimension that amplifies and complements the phenolic smoke character. Limited allocation. Order online.