Scotland, Isle of Islay. Distillery operational. Owner: LVMH - Diageo

Founded in 1815 by McDougall & Co. in the south-east of Islay, near the Kildalton Cross, Ardbeg's malt was for a long time overshadowed by its neighbours and competitors Lagavulin and Laphroaig.It was under the patronage of the McDonald family (Glenmorangie Plc), who bought the distillery in 1997, that it was able to develop its potential and introduce the public to the treasures sleeping in its vaults. Between September and November 1997, no less than three bottlings - two of which would become great classics - were released on the market, the Ardbeg 17 Year Old, Ardbeg 1978 and Ardbeg Provenance 1974. The following decade was rich in single cask, cask strength bottlings matured in sherry and bourbon casks, each more impressive than the next. And it was dressed in a new green bottle with confident Celtic-Gothic aesthetics that Ardbeg flooded the market for fans of malts dominated by aromas of smoke, peat and tiger balm.

Ardbeg Mor is a Rehoboam (4.5 litres) released in 2007 for Feis Ile, initially at cask strength for members of The Committee, then at 46% ABV. Feis Ile is a festival celebrating Celtic music and culture held on Islay every year since 1985 by The Islay Festival Association. The festival’’s first whisky tasting was held in 1990 and ten years later distilleries began actively participating by holding tours and releasing special editions only available on the isle during the festival. It is now a major event and very popular in the whisky world.