Ardbeg has unveiled the first experimental and rare release in its new Anthology Collection, The Harpy’s Tale. The new expression follows the March launch of Ardbeg BizarreBQ, the Islay distillery’s first-ever limited-edition barbecue-inspired whisky.
Aged for 13 years in a combination of classic ex-bourbon and sweet Sauternes wine casks, Ardbeg Anthology: The Harpy’s Tale presents a Scotch characterized by a tussle between powerful smoke and rich sweetness. In homage to this style, its packaging takes inspiration from the fabled half-human and half-bird Harpy–an elusive, winged beast from ancient mythology.
Ardbeg The Harpy’s Tale is the inaugural whisky in the distillery’s new Anthology Collection: a range of experimental single malts that will present rare and exceptional Ardbegs, each matured in cask types that are completely new to the distillery.
“We have embarked on a bold maturation experiment to fuse Ardbeg’s signature smokiness with more nuanced, sweeter notes for our new release, The Harpy’s Tale – resulting in a very unusual and complex breed of Ardbeg,” said Dr.Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation. “This is a dram that represents a battle between sweet and smoke – one I believe fans are yet to experience in an Ardbeg dram, and one that I’m sure they will be excited to taste for themselves.
“Collectively, the whiskies in the Anthology Collection will form a legendary, perfectly balanced and delicious series of rare and unusual Ardbegs, rich in both lore and taste. We look forward to revealing more in the Collection in the near future.”
Bottled at 46% ABV, the whisky is priced at $164.99 and will be available for purchase on ReserveBar.com, in Ardbeg Embassies, at the Distillery Visitor Center on Islay, and at selected whisky specialists. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
For this year’s Feis Ile, Ardbeg unveiled Heavy Vapours, a single malt distilled without a purifier, the apparatus responsible for balancing the brand’s blend of extreme peat and floral fruitiness.