Ardbeg distillery

Ardbeg distillery

Ardbeg [' ardbek ] is a whiskey distillery on the south shore of the island of Islay ( Scotland ( United Kingdom ) ) near Port Ellen, currently owned by Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

History

The origins of the distillery date back to 1794. At this time Ardbeg was operated by moonshiners and smugglers until they had to give up the production of illegality after a raid of the customs investigation. The legal distillery was probably in 1815, by John McDougall under the name Ardbeg (from Scottish Gaelic ard bheag - small hill ) was founded. Since 1817, the operation is documented and until 1959 was owned by the family.

In 1977, the company was taken over and operated by Allied Distillers completely by Hiram Walker (Allied Lyons ). After a period of closure (from March 1981) Ardbeg was then re-opened in November 1989, but now without its own maltings with three malt kilns. After another closure in July 1996 Ardbeg was finally in February 1997 at McDonald & Muir ( Glenmorangie, Glen Moray ) and is since 25 June of the same year again. In October 2004, Glenmorangie plc (successor of McDonald & Muir ) and therefore Ardbeg at Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton ( LVMH) has been sold.

Unlike most distilleries, which are home to a cat that has a distillery distillery dog: Shorty, a Jack Russell Terrier, but now " retired " is.

Production

The water of the still comes out of the hole and hole Arinambeast Uigeadail. The malt used, originating from the Port Ellen Maltings - has a phenol content of 56.2 ppm. Ardbeg has a mash tun ( mash do ) of 4.5 tons of stainless steel and six fermentation tanks (wash -backs), three from larch and three from Douglas fir, each 23,500 liters. Is distilled with steam- heated indoor pans in a 18,279 liter wash still - which is filled with only 11,775 liters - and a 16,957 liter spirit still - which is filled with only 13,660 liters. The output is around 950,000 liters per year.

Typical of the whiskey is the strong proportion of smoke and peat, but also a very clear note reminiscent of medicine, due to the comparatively very high phenolic content. There is also a characteristic of Ardbeg citrus. Among lovers of whiskey is a coveted collector's item. Although since the reopening constantly new whiskey is produced, especially the older vintages are very much in demand.

Products

Apart from the official distillery and single- cask bottlings existeren a lot of independent bottlers.

Visits

Ardbeg has a visitor center with a small cafe in the old kiln and can be visited.

The " Old Kiln Cafe " is open year round from Monday to Friday, from June to August and on weekends.