Ardbeg Spectacular Port Cask Matured Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Ardbeg Spectacular Port Cask Matured Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the 2024 Ardbeg Day release, and the first time Ardbeg matured its whisky in port pipes. Spirit aged 9 to 13 years was married so that about a third came from ex-bourbon barrels and the rest from port, then bottled at 92 proof without chill filtration. Distillery manager Colin Gordon said the port had to show — pear, leather, salted caramel — without burying the peat. Whisky Advocate scored it 93 and ranked it No. 11 on its Top 20 of 2024.

The distillery glass is perfumed before it is smoky: lavender, vetiver, incense, leather, and almond, then woodsmoke, damp peat, creosote, and tar. The mouthfeel is salty and viscous, with eucalyptus, smoked pecan, pear crumble, minty chocolate, and salted caramel fudge, and a long cooling menthol finish. Whisky Advocate tasted peat softened by lemon, then Golden Delicious apple, honey, cracked pepper, and charcoal, with apple, smoke, and honey lasting. VinePair found the same syrupy body, with raspberry, dark chocolate, and a spearmint close.