Ardbeg 20 years 1974 - 1995 #4383

Ardbeg 20 Years 1974 - 1995 Single Cask #4383, bottled by Signatory Vintage, is an exceptional whisky that perfectly captures the iconic style of Ardbeg from the 1970s. This single cask release, from an era when Ardbeg still operated its own malting floors, is a stunning representation of what makes this distillery so unique. The combination of deep peat smoke, maritime influences, and a long maturation in carefully selected casks makes this whisky a true gem for collectors and fans of classic Islay malts.

Tasting Notes

Nose

A beautifully layered aroma where rich peat smoke is perfectly balanced with notes of dried fruit, orange zest, and creamy vanilla. Hints of iodine, seaweed, and warm tar enhance the maritime character, while subtle spicy notes of nutmeg and cinnamon add further complexity.

Taste

Powerful and full-bodied, with an intense smokiness beautifully complemented by notes of licorice, dark chocolate, and roasted almonds. The cask influence brings rich caramel and a touch of sherry sweetness, while light hints of espresso and black pepper add depth.

Finish

Long and impressive, with lingering peat smoke transitioning into notes of oak, salted caramel, and a subtle mineral touch. The maritime influences continue to shine, with a hint of sea breeze and a softly smoky sweetness that lingers on the palate.

Ardbeg Distillery

Ardbeg Distillery is located on the south coast of the island of Islay, famous for its rich whisky tradition. Founded in 1815 by the MacDougall family, Ardbeg has a turbulent history with several closures and re-openings, but has become one of the most highly regarded Islay distilleries.

A distinctive feature of Ardbeg Distillery is its strong peat influence, resulting in whiskies with an intense smokiness and maritime character. The distillery uses traditionally handmade copper pot stills and local peat from the surrounding peat fields, which gives the whiskies their distinctive aromas of smoke, sea salt, and tar, combined with hints of citrus and vanilla.

Ardbeg whiskies are mainly matured in ex-bourbon casks, which ensures a deep and complex flavour. The distillery is also known for its innovative approach, with experimentation in different cask types and maturation processes producing unique and award-winning expressions.

The combination of traditional production methods, an iconic location and an unmistakable flavour profile makes Ardbeg a leading name in the world of Scotch whisky.

Signatory Vintage

Signatory Vintage is one of the most respected and recognised independent bottlers in the whisky world. The company was founded in 1988 by Andrew Symington and is based in Pitlochry, Scotland. Signatory Vintage is known for its impressive collection of single malt and single grain whiskies sourced from various Scottish distilleries.

In 2002 Andrew Symington acquired Edradour Distillery, one of the smallest traditional distilleries in Scotland. This has enabled Signatory Vintage to offer exclusive bottlings of Edradour whiskies alongside their regular independent bottlings.