Ardbeg was a famous hideout for smugglers who had to make themselves scarce to prevent their cache being discovered by the excise men in the late 18th century. The origins of Ardbeg date back to 1794 and the present distillery was established in 1815. In the late 1990s the distillery purchased and re-opened by Macdonald Muir, the parent company of Glenmorangie.

At once we thought this meant we would soon be seeing some interesting experiments in cooperage from this astonishing south shore Islay mainstay. Rumor currently has it, though, that they are using a much peatier malt as a base and so perhaps will leave the cask-conditioned approach to the parent company. In any event we're pleased at this new lease on life for one of our favorite spirits.