Ardbeg An Oa Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Distillery Background and History

Ardbeg Distillery, established in 1815 on the southern coast of Islay, is famed for its intensely peated single malts. Owned by LVMH since 2004, it combines rugged maritime conditions and traditional copper-pot distillation to produce some of the smokiest whiskies in the world  .

Master Distiller and Production Philosophy

Under Master Distiller Colin Gordon, Ardbeg emphasizes phenolic intensity (~55 ppm), non-chill filtration, and a balanced maturation philosophy. An Oa reflects this: bold peat softened by a crafted marrying vat of diverse cask types  .

Source of Ingredients (Grain, Water, Yeast)

Crafted from heavily peated malted barley sourced from Port Ellen, using water from Loch Uigeadail (distillery spring source), and fermented in Oregon pine washbacks with proprietary yeast  .

Distillation Process

Double-distilled in traditional copper pot stills (one wash, one spirit still), designed with tall necks and purifiers to produce a clean yet phenolic-rich spirit ().

Maturation & Cask Information

Non-age-stated, matured in a blend of ex-bourbon barrels, Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, and virgin charred oak. These are then married in Ardbeg’s gathering vat to achieve rounded complexity  .

Tasting Notes

Light gold in color.

Nose: smoldering peat, dark chocolate, aniseed, toffee, clove, black pepper, roasted fruit.

Palate: creamy peat smoke, treacle, dates, citrus zest, smoked herbs, seaweed.

Finish: ashen, mouth-drying, with lingering lime, grapefruit pith, white pepper, and saline minerality  .

Food Pairing Suggestions

Pairs excellently with smoked meats, grilled shellfish, spicy charcuterie, and dark chocolate desserts to mirror its smoky sweetness and spice.

Serving Suggestions and Ideal Glassware

Serve neat or with a drop of water at ~18–20 °C in a Glencairn or tulip glass. Let rest for 10 minutes to fully open the complex aroma layers.

Storage and Aging Potential

Store bottles upright in a cool, dark place. Once opened, the whisky retains its character for years. Aging in the bottle won’t evolve flavors but preserves balance well.

Grain Type & Mash Bill (if applicable)

Single malt Scotch — 100 % heavily peated malted barley (~55 ppm phenols)  .

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

46.6 % ABV, non-chill filtered  .

Scores

• 95.5 – Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible

• 93 – Whisky Advocate (Named #6 Whisky of the Year 2017)

• 91 – Whisky Magazine (Rob Allanson)