The Ardbeg 1996 Twenty Something is a 22-year-old single malt whisky, distilled in 1996 during a challenging time for the distillery and bottled in 2018. It is the third release in the Twenty Something series and was bottled exclusively for the Ardbeg Committee, the distillery's fan club. This whisky is a testament to the quality and tenacity of the Ardbeg spirit, distilled using some of the last of the old equipment before it was decommissioned.
Matured exclusively in ex-bourbon casks, the Ardbeg 1996 Twenty Something showcases the distillery's rich, smoky character while also highlighting its ability to produce light, fresh flavors. The whisky's thick, tarry baseline mingles with vibrant tropical fruit notes, seamlessly-integrated spices, and a fresh menthol aroma that melds with peat smoke in the long, breezy finish.
On the palate, this whisky is a sumptuous dram bursting with flavor, including fresh green apples, vanilla toffee, and aniseed, complemented by Ardbeg's distinct peat and smoke. This rare vintage is from a small number of casks laid down during a precarious time when the distillery's future was uncertain. It is presented in a box and has an ABV of 46.4%.
Ardbeg was founded in 1815 and is one of Islay's iconic distilleries. The distillery was purchased by Diageo forerunners DCL and Hiram Walker in 1973, with Walker taking full control in 1977, the year the distillery's maltings were closed. Ardbeg was mothballed for most of the 1980s, and production began again in 1989 under new owners Allied Lyons, but only for two months a year until 1996 when the distillery closed again. In 1997, the dilapidated Ardbeg distillery was bought by Glenmorangie plc (now part of LVMH), and its fortunes turned around.
The ABV of Ardbeg 1996 Twenty Something is 46.4%.
There were 2,400 bottles produced of Ardbeg 1996 Twenty Something.
Ardbeg 1996 Twenty Something was matured exclusively in ex-bourbon casks.
The Ardbeg distillery was bought by Glenmorangie plc (now part of LVMH) in 1997.
Overall: The Ardbeg 1996 Twenty Something is a well-balanced whisky that offers a harmonious blend of smoke and sweetness. While it is an excellent representation of its era, it may lack the complexity and punch some may desire. Nonetheless, it remains a testament to the distillery's enduring quality.
The Ardbeg 1996 Twenty Something is a very good whisky, particularly for a recent Ardbeg release. Although its price may not be fully justified, it has aged well and offers a solid representation of its distillation period. While it may not outperform some of the other Ardbeg expressions, such as Airigh Nam Beist or Port Askaig 25, it is a well-rounded dram that showcases the distillery's ability to produce high-quality whisky even in challenging times.
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