If you aren’t feeling 2018 don’t worry, because this year you can travel back in time to the decade of peace and love by celebrating Ardbeg Day, final celebration of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt, Fèis Ìle.
Every year, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music takes place in early summer on Ardbeg’s island home. As part of a long-standing tradition the Distillery opens its doors to welcome whiskey loving visitors from all over the world to join in the hoopla. The theme of this boozy celebration changes every year and past themes have included everything from the Islay-limpics and the Peat Football World Cup, to a Back-to-the Future scenario which imagined Islay in 2215.
This year it’s all bell bottoms and peace signs, so it’s only fitting that their limited-edition release this year is none other than Ardbeg Grooves which is the perfect celebratory spirt for this self-declared festival of “Peat and Love”. This is the first offering that is matured in intensely charred wine casks for a uniquely distinctive malt. The result is a whisky that blends smoky cinnamon and sweet vanilla popcorn perfectly and melds Intense aromas of smoked cinnamon and paprika, antique leather and saddle soap, with classic Ardbeg scents of pine resin, tar and briny sea spray in the background. Add a splash of water to unlock even more lovely and unexpected aromas: lavender scented soap, ground white pepper, floral and herbal notes entwined. Fresh flowers mix with coriander leaves and mint. So, grab yourself a pair of platform shoes and get your groove on!
