ARDBEG - 25 years - Silver Seal - 1976 - 50%
Silver Seal is a prestigious brand of independent Italian bottling, renowned for its exclusive and rigorous selection, distributed by Massimo Righi, passionate director of a small specialized company named Whisky Antique. This eclectic range reflects the exceptional richness of the finest traditional Scottish whiskies, as well as many exceptional rums from the Caribbean. Silver Seal only markets small limited bottlings, guaranteeing a memorable and quality tasting experience for connoisseurs.
Ardbeg is an iconic distillery located on the wild islet of Islay, in the heart of Scotland. Considered one of the oldest distilleries on this mythical island, its whiskies are world-renowned for their unparalleled peaty intensity. Ardbeg is also famous for being the first whisky to cross land borders: in 2011, the distillery innovated by sending part of its production to the International Space Station to study the effects of weightlessness on aging and aromas, a unique experiment called extraterrestrial aging.
Ardbeg's production began on this historic site as early as 1798, and its whisky was officially marketed in 1815, the same year as that of its illustrious neighbor Laphroaig. Ardbeg quickly met immense success, notably for its whiskies used in prestigious blends, but it went through a difficult period starting in 1838, marked by frequent ownership changes and several bankruptcies, leading to its closure in 1981. Its revival began in 1989, although production was then limited to two months per year. It was in 1997, upon its acquisition by the Glenmorangie group, that distillation resumed at full capacity. Today, Ardbeg belongs to the prestigious French luxury group LVMH, integrated within the Glenmorangie group.
Ardbeg's two traditional stills produce annually about one million liters of pure alcohol, exclusively available as high-end Single Malt. Aging is mainly done in American Bourbon casks, complemented by maturation in high-quality Sherry casks. The whisky style is remarkably strongly peated, ranging between 50 and 55 ppm of phenols, but without the pronounced maritime aroma found in some other Islay whiskies. Ardbeg captivates with its intense and complex organoleptic profile, marked by enveloping smoke, deep spicy notes, and a subtle sweet touch gently integrated.
Peated (50-55 ppm)
