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Here on Islay, there's no rush. So why not sit back awhile, wherever you are in the world, and enjoy your visit to the home of Ardbeg, the Ultimate Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky.
It is, perhaps, the most peaty malt whisky in the world - certainly of all the Islay malts. Not to mention beautifully balanced, complex and deep. It's unthinkable now, but in 1981 production ceased and the distillery was mothballed.
Happily in 1997, this beautiful malt began to flow again and enjoys enduring protection from all things bad by a loyal band in the shape of The Ardbeg Committee - a worldwide family of Ardbeg aficionados in 90 countries who work tirelessly to drink more Ardbeg and bring others into this esteemed fold.
If you love Ardbeg, you too can help us keep the doors open by becoming a member... you'll enjoy some rather nice privileges too. But first things first. Pour yourself a wee (or large!) dram and take a look around.
Please remember to enjoy your Ardbeg in moderation
History
The early days of distilling: If the stories are to be believed (and why not?), the inhabitants of Islay had been enjoying the effects of 'strong wines and aquavitae' for years before the Ardbeg distillery was established.
Even attempts to suppress the unruly islanders with a heavy malt tax could not deter illicit distillers and smugglers operating around Ardbeg's rocky cove. This was perhaps an inevitable consequence for a remote island, so difficult for the excisemen to reach, yet blessed with an abundance of natural resources needed for producing whisky - fertile soil, peat bogs and unlimited supplies of soft peaty water.
Somehow, against a backdrop of raiding Norsemen, inter-island clan battles and English taxation, Ardbeg emerged as "unquestionably the greatest distillery on earth."
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