Ardbeg Just Dropped 2 Incredibly Rare Scotch Whiskies With a Combined $100,000 Price Tag
Ardbeg unveiled two expressions, titled “The Rollercoaster” which fetch a combined price of $106,161.60. (Photo: Ardbeg)
On Tuesday, Ardbeg announced the release of The Rollercoaster, a collection composed of two incredibly rare whiskies. Only 143 sets are available for a suggested retail price of £85,000 ($106,161.60).
The set is said to capture two “pivotal moments” of the Islay distillery’s past. One expression was distilled in 1981, when Ardbeg closed. The other was made in 1989, after Ardbeg was revived. Paired together, The Rollercoaster captures in liquid form the highs and lows of Ardbeg’s history.
“From our Distillery’s most perilous low come two unrepeatable bottlings which take Ardbeg to new heights. Ardbeg The Rollercoaster shows just how far our Distillery has come since its uncertain past,” Ardbeg CEO Caspar MacRae said in a statement from the brand.
Ardbeg’s Tumultuous Story — A Journey of Highs and Lows
Ardbeg was founded in 1815 and quickly rose to fame for creating some of the smokiest scotches around. It was fairly successful in its day and weathered the setbacks and challenges of the volatile liquor industry. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the distillery began to wade into troubled waters.
On March 25, 1981, Ardbeg shuttered its doors because market demand for blended scotches was higher for single malts. The distillery remained mothballed for eight years. Ardbeg’s fortunes changed in October 1989 when it was resurrected.
Many say that the road to success is littered with failures and setbacks, and Ardbeg’s story is not unique in that sense. Even shortly after it reopened in 1989, Ardbeg was closed again in 1996 only to be reopened yet again shortly after.
“Today, Ardbeg is one of the world’s most collectible whiskies,” MacRae stated. “And as its fanbase continues to grow, we are more invested in our Distillery and our island community than ever before… Here’s to the future of Ardbeg!”
The future does look bright for Ardbeg, as Drinks International ranked it third on its list of The World’s Most Admired Whiskies list for 2023. The scotch brand was beat out by Yamazaki and Michter’s, which won the No. 1 spot.
The Rollercoaster Details and Tatsing Notes, Via Ardbeg
The Rollercoaster’s First Whiskey: Ardbeg Cask No. 1, 1981
The Rollercoaster’s first whisky is made from the very last remaining cask of Ardbeg’s 1981 stocks, and the brand describes the 42-year-old offering as lightly peated. This slightly peated, hard-to-find scotch is an example of “Kildalton-style” Ardbeg, according to the scotch brand. The whisky was aged in bourbon casks before being transferred to one Oloroso sherry cask to add a bit of spice.
Nose: Brazil-nut-flavored coffee, orange syrup, linseed oil, grilled asparagus and pepper. Soft, yet savory.
Taste: Demerara sugar, burnished leather, and a smoke flavor.
Finish: Dates, toffee and leather. Lengthy and lingering.
The Rollercoaster’s Second Whiskey: Ardbeg Cask No. 17, 1989
Rollercoaster’s second offering is one of the Islay brand’s final casks from 1989. The whisky was distilled on Dec. 6 after production began again at the distillery, and the 33-year-old scotch was matured in bourbon barrels before being moved to a refilled bourbon cask to emphasize its peaty nature.
Nose: Sooty and waxy, with aromas of fennel, mustard and toasted bread. Smoked lime skins.
Taste: Smoked popcorn, smoked paprika and aniseed toffee.
Finish: Tarry smoke, vanilla and Viennese coffee.
Follow The Daily Pour:
About The Daily Pour
Founded by Dan Abrams, The Daily Pour is the ultimate drinking guide for the modern consumer, covering spirits, non-alcoholic and hemp beverages. With its unique combination of cross-category coverage and signature rating system that aggregates reviews from trusted critics across the internet, The Daily Pour sets the standard as the leading authority in helping consumers discover, compare and enjoy the best of today's evolving drinks landscape.
