Ardbeg
Heavily peated single malt from Islay’s south coast, with plenty of smoke yet a sweet, fruity core. Here you can read which Ardbeg to choose, what it tastes like, how to drink it and which glass to use.
Smoke and fruit from Islay’s south coast
Ardbeg is a single malt whisky from Islay, the Scottish island known for smoky whisky. The distillery is by the sea on the south coast near Port Ellen, a few kilometers from Laphroaig and Lagavulin. Ardbeg has officially existed since 1815. Production was largely (almost) halted for a long time in the 1980s and 1990s, until Glenmorangie bought the distillery in 1997 and brought it fully back into operation. Ardbeg is therefore now also part of Moët Hennessy.
Ardbeg uses heavily peated barley: barley dried over peat fires, which gives it plenty of smoky flavor. Yet Ardbeg is more than smoke. The second still contains an extra component, a purifier, which sends the heaviest compounds back. This keeps the whisky surprisingly fresh and fruity, with citrus and sweet vanilla beneath the peat. The core bottles are not chill-filtered and are bottled at 46% or higher, keeping the flavor full.
In brief
What types of Ardbeg are there?
From the young Wee Beastie to the powerful Corryvreckan: all the bottles are smoky, but the casks make the difference. Gall & Gall also has the Ardbeg 19 Years Batch 6 in a limited edition.
Ardbeg 10 Years
The core of the range. Ten years in ex-bourbon casks: peat smoke, lemon, tar and a sweet vanilla base.
Wee Beastie
Only five years old and therefore raw and direct: plenty of smoke, pepper and tar, with little wood. The young beast of the range.
An Oa
Whisky from different casks, brought together in a large French oak vat. Rounder and softer than the 10, with smoke and sweet toffee.
Uigeadail
Blend of Ardbeg whiskies of different ages, partly matured in oloroso sherry casks. Smoke with raisins, dates and spices.
Corryvreckan
Named after the notorious whirlpool north of Jura, Islay’s neighboring island. Deeply peated, peppery and powerful, with dark fruit.
Dolce
Matured in bourbon and Marsala casks. Soft smoke with apricot, marmalade and dried fruit.
Traigh Bhan 19 Years
Nineteen years old, made in small batches. Tropical fruit, spices and pepper, with the smoke Ardbeg is known for.
Start with the 10 Years. If you want something less sharp, choose An Oa; if you want more power, choose Uigeadail.
Peat smoke and tar, with citrus and vanilla underneath
Smoke & lemon
Peat smoke, tar, seaweed and salt, with a surprising amount of lemon, lime and vanilla underneath. The sherry-matured bottles also smell of raisins and dark fruit.
Powerful and sweet
Full-bodied and oily, with smoke, pepper and espresso, along with sweet toffee and citrus. Ardbeg is intense without becoming flat.
Long and smoky
The smoke lingers for a long time, with tar, salt and a sweet edge. With Corryvreckan and Uigeadail, the finish is especially long.
Flavor profile of Ardbeg 10 Years. An Oa is softer and sweeter, while Corryvreckan and Uigeadail are more powerful.
Three ways to drink Ardbeg
Ardbeg is best enjoyed neat, at room temperature, from a glass that concentrates the aromas. With the stronger bottles, a splash of water makes a big difference.
Neat, with a drop of water
Pour 30 ml into a tulip-shaped tasting glass and let it sit for a few minutes. Then add a few drops of water. The smoke softens and the fruit and vanilla come through. With Corryvreckan and Uigeadail, you can add a little more water.
Glass: tasting glass →On the rocks
You can, but in moderation: one large ice cube in a tumbler chills the whisky without diluting it too quickly. Ice mutes the smoke, which some people actually prefer.
Glass: tumbler →As a smoky float
A small splash of Ardbeg on top of a cocktail immediately adds a smoky aroma. A well-known example is the Penicillin, with blended Scotch, lemon, honey and ginger, topped with 10 ml of Islay whisky.
Go to recipe →Cocktails with Ardbeg
A little Ardbeg goes a long way. Use it as a smoky accent, or use Wee Beastie as the base if you love lots of smoke.
Penicillin
Blended Scotch, lemon, honey and ginger, with an Ardbeg float. Smoky and warming.
Smoky Old Fashioned
The classic Old Fashioned with Ardbeg instead of bourbon. For those who love smoke.
Hot Toddy
Hot water, honey, lemon and whisky. Ardbeg gives it a campfire note.
Whisky cocktails
All whisky cocktails in one place, from Whiskey Sour to Rusty Nail.The right glass for Ardbeg
A tulip-shaped tasting glass to distinguish the smoke from the fruit, or a heavy tumbler for whisky on the rocks and an Old Fashioned. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything else you wanted to know about Ardbeg
Can't find your question here? Check out our cocktail recipes or read more about Scotch.
To Scotch whisky →What percentage of alcohol is in Ardbeg?
Where does Ardbeg come from?
Why is Ardbeg so smoky?
What is the difference between Ardbeg 10, An Oa and Uigeadail?
How do you pronounce Uigeadail and Corryvreckan?
Which glass should you use for Ardbeg?
Buy Ardbeg
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Ardbeg online from Gall & Gall. Gall & Gall has 8 in stock.
Prices as of October 8, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No under-18s, no alcohol.