Ardbeg Ten ups ABV for fanbase
The Glenmorangie Company has unveiled a cask strength version of the flagship Ardbeg Ten single malt, available exclusively to the Islay-based distillery’s dedicated fanbase.
According to the distillery, its loyal fan base, the Ardbeg Committee, has been requesting a cask-strength version of its 10-year-old single malt for more than 20 years.
The committee was formed in February 2000 by a few committed Ardbeg enthusiasts, who aimed to prevent the distillery from closing again after many years of uncertainty.
To answer the call of these dedicated fans, Ardbeg has upped the expression’s ABV to 61.7%, the highest strength of any committee release to date.
The release of Ardbeg Ten Cask Strength single malt follows the highly limited debut of a higher-ABV expression released in 2003, available exclusively in Japan.
Crafted by Ardbeg’s whisky creators, led by Dr Bill Lumsden, the new limited release is made from hand-selected American oak Bourbon casks, including some experimental barrels filled with undiluted spirit.
The whisky is the first committee edition revealed under the leadership of the distillery’s new co-chairs, master blender Gillian MacDonald and distillery manager Bryony McNiven – the first females to hold the position in nearly 200 years.
MacDonald commented: “This cask strength Ardbeg Ten is a momentous celebration of our distillery’s classic style. Created by Dr Bill and myself from casks filled with new make spirit at a higher-than-usual strength, it has all the flavours committee members know and love, infused with a new intensity.
“Those who are lucky enough to lay their hands on a bottle will find aromas of toffee, tar, with classic notes of fennel and sea spray, and sweet sooty tastes of peat moss, malt and smoked cinnamon – amplified in an unforgettable dram. Slàinte to our committee.”
McNiven added: “Ardbeg Ten Cask Strength is arguably one of the most wanted Ardbegs ever. It’s fantastic to finally be sharing it with the committee. What a dram – a perfect balance of wood smoke, citrus sweetness and salt.”
Ardbeg Ten Cask Strength will be available to committee members on the distillery’s website from 24 February, with an RRP of £75 (US$102).
A limited amount will also be available at the distillery’s visitor centre on Islay.
Founded in 2000, the Ardbeg Committee celebrated its 25th anniversary last year with the release of Eureka!.
Other limited releases from the brand last year include the 2025 Fèis Ìle bottling, Smokiverse, Ardbeg Anthology: The Beithir’s Tale, and Vintage_Y24 24 Years Old.
Related news
The Whisky Exchange debuts Zodiac whisky series
