Ardbeg Distillery

Ardbeg’s story

Some of the smokiest whiskies in the world are produced at Ardbeg. These are internationally reknowned as some of the best examples of the peaty and smoky style. The distillery is situated on the small but productive Hebridean island of Islay, which is the home of spiritual home of smoky whisky in Scotland. Ardbeg produces almost three million litres of whisky a year following completion of a major expansion in 2021, and have numerous limited editions released annually in addition to their core range.

Ardbeg is considered one of the world’s most innovative distilleries for not only their whisky, but also for their unique marketing and creative advertising style. Their website is one of the best distillery sites around and is worth a visit. The Ardbeg Committee is also one of the most populated whisky fan clubs in the world and boasts limited edition releases solely for its members. The brand annually hosts Ardbeg Day, the traditional final day of the Islay Festival, events around the world, which has contributed to its loyal cult following.

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Ardbeg’s history

Ardbeg was founded in 1815 by John MacDougall on the southwestern coast of Islay, one of a trio of famous distilleries built around the same time on the same stretch of coastline. Lagavulin (1816) and Laphroaig (1815 also) are the others. Records show a distillery on the site from as far back as 1794, which had been latterly owned by Duncan MacDougall, John’s father.

Ardbeg has been closed down on several recent occasions only to be reopened by new owners each time. The first occasion saw the distillery mothballed in 1981 – this is the process whereby a distillery ceases production but everything remains intact, ready to start up again. Small scale production began again in 1989 with the intermediate years seeing the distillery limp along with distillation taking place for just a few weeks each year.

The distillery closed again in July 1996, but for a thankfully short time. Again, production had been minimised in the early 1990s to save money. It was re-opened in June 1997 by Glenmorangie PLC, who then proceeded to spend over £1.4 million renovating the distillery back to its former glory. Glenmorangie PLC was in turn taken over by drinks giant Moet Hennessy shortly afterwards. The distillery and brand continues to grow following the acquisition with sales increasing year on year.

• How to pronounce Ardbeg? ahrd-beg
• Country: Scotland
• Region: Islay
• Founded: 1815
• Current owners: Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH)
• Production capacity per year: 2.8 million litres
• Mash tun: 5 tonnes stainless steel
• Washbacks: 12
• Stills: 4
• Visitor centre: Yes

Ardbeg Distillery
Port Ellen
Islay
PA42 7EA
tel – +44 (0)1496 302 244
www.ardbeg.com

Did you know?

Ardbeg built a new pagoda after severe storms left its roof lying in their carpark in the mid-2000s. To rebuild they asked visitors and locals to donate £1 to write a message on a new tile that was then fitted to the roof of their new pagoda. All money raised went to a local Islay charity.