Ardbeg mixes Madeira cask sweetness with classic smoke in latest Distillery’s Anthology Collection whisky, The Unicorn’s Tale
Ardbeg has unveiled the latest addition to its Anthology Collection, The Unicorn’s Tale. The latest release in the series is the Islay brand’s first whisky matured in a marriage of Madeira wine casks and bourbon casks.
Aged for 14 years, the Ardbeg Unicorn’s Tale blends the Scotch maker’s classic smoky flavors with sweetness delivered by Madeira casks. The Anthology Collection features unusual single malts from the distillery, which cross classic Ardbeg with experimental stock to create new flavor combinations. In homage to these whiskies’ outlandish “hybrid” style, each malt’s name and packaging are inspired by a different mythological creature, which some say they have glimpsed on Islay.
“At Ardbeg we love experimenting with how we can push our spirit’s smoky balance into new worlds of flavor,” says Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation.S”ome time ago, we decided to try maturing Ardbeg in unusual cask types for the distillery to create sweet and smoky ‘hybrids’– and so the Anthology Collection was born.
“The Unicorn’s Tale is the second release in this series, which has been created by marrying classic Ardbeg matured in bourbon casks with a parcel of whisky wholly matured in sweet Madeira wine casks. The outcome is a whisky bursting with notes of banana bread and tropical fruit fused with Ardbeg’s hallmark flavors of camphor, lime zest, and wood smoke. This 14-year-old whisky may appear sweet in nature, but its smoky side is not to be underestimated!”
Tasting Notes
On the nose, the single malt offers aromas of baked banana bread and syrupy sponge puddin, which leads to distinct notes of burning cedar wood and tropical fruits. The palate delivers flavors of lime, stone fruits, peat smoke, menthol, and barley. The influence of the Madeira casks is particularly noticeable on the finish, which lingers with notes of menthol, clove, wood smoke, and camphor.
Bottled at 46% ABV, Ardbeg Anthology: The Unicorn’s Tale will be available for purchase on ReserveBar.com and at select wine and apirits retailers across the US for an RSP of $159.99. The Unicorn’s Tale follow last year’s The Harpy’s Tale, which marries classic Ardbeg with the Distillery’s first whisky aged in Sauternes white wine casks.
For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
Last month, Ardbeg teamed up with comic-book artist Tradd Moore to launch the limited-edition The Abyss single malt.
