Ardbeg Announces ‘Smoketrails’ Whisky Series

Scotch whisky brand Ardbeg has revealed a new series launching to travel retail locations. Ardbeg Smoketrails kicks off with Manzanilla Edition. (Photo: Ardbeg)

Ardbeg recently announced the launch of the Ardbeg Smoketrails collection of single malts available exclusively at travel retail shops and the Ardbeg Distillery Visitor Center.

The series kicks off with Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla Edition, a blend of whiskies aged in Manzanilla sherry casks and classic Ardbeg American oak casks.

Bottled at 92 proof, Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla Edition on Oct. 5 will launch to nine United Kingdom airports: London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Beginning Nov. 1, it will become available at the Ardbeg Distillery Visitor Center and in “most international airports globally,” according to Ardbeg.

According to Whisky Base, however, Ardveg Smoketrails Manzanilla was on shelves in the Heathrow and Stansted airports as early as Sept. 19, priced at £67 ($76).

Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla Edition Tasting Notes, Via the Brand

Color: Pale gold

Nose: Deep, pungent flavours take to the air, a curious combination of tar, saddle soap, pine resin and Brazil nuts. A very aromatic whisky, with lovely herbal notes and a hint of moist peat bog, while storm-churned sea spray soars overhead. With water, some chocolatey notes appear, along with a touch of engine oil.

Taste: A slightly drying mouthfeel, followed by deep, pungent flavours that hurtle across the palate: tar, soot, dark chocolate and a very distinctive nuttiness, like Brazil nuts or hazelnut.

Finish: Plumes of fennel and pine billow up, leaving a long, lingering trail of carbolic soap, aniseed and leather.

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