Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 48.8%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon, ex-Sherry and new
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Moet Hennessy
Average price: € 90.00
Official website: www.ardbeg.com
It has been six years since the last new addition to Ardbeg’s core range, that Wee Beastie which, in the midst of the pandemic, brought a bit of relief to everyone stuck at home, especially with its declared 5 years of ageing that left many people stunned.
And Bill Lumsden, the guiding spirit of the distillery (and of Glenmorangie), is challenging the crisis the sector is facing with a new addition, not only with a stated age but also rather substantial.
Released in September 2026, this Trudernish (named after an ancient settlement on Islay where it is said there is a well that never freezes) with its 15 years of maturation represents a real “twist” for the distillery, particularly because of the price, which is, surprisingly (given their track record), reasonable.
Primary maturation in ex-bourbon casks, including first-fill, complemented by ex-oloroso sherry casks and new charred oak.
Tasting Notes
Bring your nose to the glass and you’ll find all the island character of Ardbeg whisky. Sea rocks, seaweed, grilled seafood, boat hull, hydrocarbons… all descriptors that for some will definitely be off-putting and will once again confirm that Ardbeg is not for them, but for those who love this profile it’s an olfactory symphony. Plenty of citrus (between lime and citron) with secondary notes of patisserie (crème brûlée, slightly scorched shortcrust pastry, candied ginger), vegetal elements (licorice root, green tea, tobacco), aromatic herbs (rosemary, thyme) and spices (cinnamon, cloves). The smoke is acrid, of burnt wood, and accompanies rather than dominates the aromas. A faint balsamic impression in the background. Intense and evocative.
Age and strength make themselves felt in the texture on the palate, oily and full-bodied, which echoes the nose with a greater emphasis on pastry notes and introduces hints of tropical fruit (pineapple, mango) alongside the citrus profile, which remains dominant. More spices (black pepper and ginger), more hearth and bonfire, more maritime character (enhancing saltiness and minerality), less hydrocarbon, resulting overall in a (relatively) gentler approach that is still full and assertive. Vegetal and balsamic notes also raise their voice, especially the latter, with lingering mentholated nuances. Liquorice.
Long finale, where the smoke envelops the palate, with citrusy, balsamic, and coastal notes filling the mouth.
Review: It had been a long time since I’d had such a satisfying encounter with an Ardbeg that wasn’t an extremely expensive limited release; the fact that it’s a permanent part of the core range at a more than reasonable price is just one more point in its favour. Chapeau.
Vote: 89/100