Ardbeg

Ardbeg is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery located on the south coast of Islay, Scotland. It is widely regarded for its heavily peated whiskies, which combine strong smoke with maritime character. The distillery produces a range of core and limited releases and operates as part of the Glenmorangie company within the LVMH group.

Ardbeg was founded in 1815 by John MacDougall as a licensed distillery on Islay. It endured periods of operation and closure, including a shutdown in 1981 and a revival in 1989 under Glenmorangie ownership. In 2004 Glenmorangie plc became part of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH), placing Ardbeg within LVMH’s beverage portfolio. Since then, Ardbeg has expanded its range beyond its core bottlings to include several notable expressions and limited releases.

The distillery emphasizes peat-forward character, producing whiskies that often exhibit medicinal, smoky, and maritime notes alongside sweetness and citrus. Its core expression, Ardbeg 10 Year Old, is complemented by other popular bottlings such as Uigeadail and Corryvreckan, along with newer offerings like An Oa and Wee Beastie. These whiskies are typically matured in a mix of cask types, including ex-bourbon and sherry, to create layered flavors.

Ardbeg is one of the best-known heavily peated Islay malts. The distillery operates a visitor center and offers tours and tastings, along with events such as Ardbeg Day, attracting whisky enthusiasts from around the world.