Description
Ardbeg An Oa Single Malt 700ml is a heavily peated Islay single malt Scotch whisky from Ardbeg Distillery, bottled without chill filtration at 46.6%. Whiskies from several cask types, among them Pedro Ximenez sherry, virgin charred oak and ex-bourbon, are brought together in a large oak Gathering Vat before bottling. The result is a rounder, sweeter take on the distillery’s smoke.
The name comes from the Mull of Oa, the most southerly point of Islay, a rocky headland that the back label credits with sheltering Ardbeg from the wildest Atlantic weather. The Gathering Vat is associated with Ardbeg’s Dr Bill Lumsden, and it is where the different cask types spend time together before bottling.
Ardbeg sits on Islay’s south coast. Whisky has been made on the site since 1798, with commercial production from 1815. Production stopped in 1981 and returned only in part from 1989, until Glenmorangie plc reopened the distillery in 1997 and brought it back to full output the following year. It has been part of the LVMH group since Glenmorangie was acquired in 2004.
An Oa has no age statement, and peat still drives the flavour despite the sweetness of the casks. The malted barley used at the distillery comes from the Port Ellen maltings, also on Islay.
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Serve it neat or with a few drops of water, which bring the sweetness forward and let the spice show. It also makes a bold highball with soda and an orange twist. For food, try smoked salmon, barbecued brisket, blue cheese or a square of dark chocolate.
- Ardbeg Distillery, south coast of Islay
- Pedro Ximenez, virgin charred oak and ex-bourbon casks
- Bottled at 46.6% ABV, not chill filtered
Smoke arrives with toffee, aniseed and butterscotch on the nose, with date and banana behind them. The palate adds honey and a touch of cinnamon, and the finish stays sweet and smoky, with lingering peat and dried flowers.
A sensible starting point for those curious about Ardbeg, and a good choice for smoky whisky fans who want some sweetness alongside the peat.
