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The iconic Ardbeg distillery in Islay has started June with the introduction of a couple of new whisky releases. Renowned for its heavily peated style, the distillery has broadened its range with three limited-edition bottlings, which seems to have been Ardbeg's primary focus in recent years.
Following the circus-themed 2024 Ardbeg Day celebrations on 1 June, the distillery revealed The Abyss and Corryvreckan, illustrated by Tradd Moore, as well as the newest edition to its travel retail Smoketrails collection.
Ardbeg The Abyss
Images by Ardbeg
Ardbeg released its first expression of Corryvreckan in 2008 as a Committee release. Due to the popularity of the limited edition, Ardbeg Corryvreckan, as a bourbon-cask-aged expression, was added to the core range a year later.
The whiskies used in the 2008 limited edition were distilled in 1989 and aged ten years in ex-bourbon casks. To enhance the flavour, the whiskies were finished in heavily toasted French oak barrels. While most of the casks were used for the 2008 release, a few were reserved for additional ageing. The Abyss was born from these 'unrepeatable' casks.
Ardbeg The Abyss is a 34-year-old whisky offered at 48.4% ABV and limited to 400 bottles. Each bottle is presented in a futuristic silver capsule and comes with a comic by the American comic book author and artist Tradd Moore.
Image by Blue World Safaris - Corryvreckan, third-largest natural whirlpool in the world / History and Regency Romance UK - The legend of Prince Breacan
The comic delves into the legend of Viking Prince Breacan. According to the tale, he spent three days anchored in the Corryvreckan whirlpool in Islay to prove his worthiness to the daughter of the Lord of the Isle. Unfortunately, he was sucked into the depths of the ocean. In Tradd's comic, the prince's return is imagined in 'Planet Ardbeg', where he is reborn as The Abyss.
The Abyss will be available through the distillery’s website, at the visitor centre on Islay, and the Moët Hennessy Private Client channel worldwide. The limited release retails for €25,000 (US$27,190 / £21,250).
Corryvreckan Limited Edition by Tradd Moore
In conjunction with the release of The Abyss, Ardbeg has also offered 1,000 bottles of specially labelled Ardbeg Corryvreckan, bottled at the standard ABV of 57.1% for the release. These bottles are exclusive to the distillery's visitor centre in Islay and are available only while stocks last. The labels feature four different designs, all created by Moore, indicating that each label is limited to 250 bottles.
The price of the limited release and whether it differs from the core range expression have not been made public.
Ardbeg Smoketrails Côte Rôtie Edition
In late 2023, Moët Hennessy Travel Retail announced the launch of the second edition of Ardbeg's Traveller’s Exclusive series. The new edition, called Ardbeg Smoketrails Côte Rôtie Edition, became available in early June 2024 in Asia, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China. The release will also be available in Australia and New Zealand at a later date.
The travel retail exclusive Smoketrails Côte Rôtie was aged in ex-bourbon and French wine casks from the Rhône region. Offered at 46% ABV, the whisky retails for £119.90 (US$153/ €141) in a 1000ml bottle. To spice up the deal, each bottle purchase will be accompanied by a branded bandanna.
Image by Global Travel Retail Magazine
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