Ardbeg An Oa

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An Ardbeg core expression in which PX sherry, virgin oak and bourbon cask whiskies marry in a French oak 'Gathering Vat'. Powerful smoke rounded off by smooth sweetness.

Peated
Non-chill filtered

Details

Brand	Ardbeg
Distillery	Ardbeg
Origin	Scotland / Islay
Style	Single Malt
Age	NAS
ABV	46.6%
Cask	Bourbon, Pedro Ximénez sherry and virgin oak casks

Flavour profile

Smoky
Sweet
Fruity
Spicy
Rich

* Editorial estimate.

Tasting notes

Nose: Sherried oak, lanolin and sooty vanilla, leading to dark chocolate and smouldering pine.
Palate: Salty, kippery smoke and black pepper; an oily mid-palate with sherried richness and a piney note.
Finish: Smoky, sweet and rounded.

* Editorial tasting notes.

How to enjoy it

Neat
Highball
With water

Rounder than most Ardbegs, so it is approachable even neat. As a highball, the smoke and sweetness stretch out cleanly.

Food pairing

Grilled meats, smoked dishes and dark chocolate.

Background & production

Made at Ardbeg on the south coast of Islay, where commercial distilling began in 1815. It is owned by The Glenmorangie Company, part of LVMH, and is known for heavily peated whisky.

An Oa joined the Ten, Uigeadail and Corryvreckan in the core range, the first new permanent expression in almost a decade. It is named after the Oa, a peninsula at Islay's southernmost point.

Whiskies matured in casks including Pedro Ximénez sherry, charred virgin oak and ex-bourbon are brought together in a large French oak 'Gathering Vat'. It carries no age statement and is bottled at 46.6% ABV without chill filtration.