The Ardbeg distillery lies on the South shore of Islay, close to the other 'Kildalton' distilleries (Lagavulin and Laphroaig). The name Ardbeg comes from the Gaelic word 'ad bheag' for small hill. The malt is peated to an average of 55ppm at Port Ellen Maltings which gives the smoke, long fermentation times help to increase softness and impart fruity acidity. Both stills have quite a tall neck and are constricted just above the neck of the pot still. The lyne arm is also rising after the bend. All these factors result in a stable distillation with a lot of reflux which gives an oily, textural quality to the final product but also helps to refine the spirit.
Ardbeg Wee Beastie
47.4% abv
Aromas: The first sniff alerts you to a nearby presence… heightened senses are filled with very bright, fresh herbal notes, with creeping hints of vanilla and pear. Rich Turkish coffee mingles with sappy pine resin, with honey-glazed ham lurking in the background. With water, more herbal top notes like vetiver and fennel captivate and pull you in, while beguiling scents of aniseed, green apple and leather cause you to drop your guard. Out of nowhere, a sharp tang of smoke and a crack of fresh black pepper fire warning shots across the senses.
Taste: Suddenly, a rich, explosive mouthfeel bursts forth with chocolate, creosote and tar. A powerful blast of eucalyptus thrashes about with antiseptic lozenges and aniseed. The raw, smoky intensity gathers pace, before smoked bacon and savoury meats sink into the palate.
Finish: The long, salty mouthcoating finish retreats, with hints of cocoa and fudge slinking slowly away
Ardbeg Wee Beastie has been matured for just 5years, making it the untamed ‘enfant terrible’ of the whisky world. Whereas most single malts seek the smoothness and balance of older age, we know that more time in cask tends to subdue the smokiness that so many whisky fans love.
- Reference #:
- 13532
- Strength
- 47.4 ABV
- Bottles per Case
- 6 bottles
- Organic
- No
- Biodynamic
- No
- Vegan
- No
- Vegetarian
- No
- Sparkling
- No

