Ardbeg has revealed a rare, aged Ardbeg of colossal character, inspired by the highest point of Islay’s rugged and untamed landscape. Available exclusively in Travel Retail, Ardbeg Seann Chreag 21 Years Old (Scots Gaelic for “ancient rock” and pronounced “Shawn Craig”) elevates the Islay Distillery’s most complex sweet and smoky flavours to a whole new level. Aged in Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks for a rich balance of smouldering heather, hickory-smoked ham and nut toffee, this whisky is as dark, mysterious and inviting as its namesake’s moonlit peak.

Looming over wild moors and peat bogs in the south-east of Islay, the whisky’s ancient and enigmatic muse Beinn Bheigier is Islay’s highest point. It takes hours to navigate the summit’s tussocky lower reaches and scale its rocky heights, by day or by night. But with some of the best views on the island from the top (especially at full moon), travellers can be sure that their journey will be well rewarded.

Rather like this brooding peak, Seann Chreag is supremely layered, combining classic bourbon-aged Ardbeg with Oloroso sherry casks for rich and mellow balance. Described by Master Blender Gillian Macdonald as an “older sibling to Ardbeg Uigeadail”, this darker, more complex whisky is sure to be a favourite with fans of that intensely sherried whisky in the Distillery’s core range. Contrasting tarry smoke and peaty potency with rich sweetness of figs in syrup, nut toffee and demerara sugar, Seann Chreag tastes equally alluring in the wilds of Islay or at home with friends.

Gillian said: “Bringing the colossal character of Islay’s highest summit to life for travelling Ardbeggians, Ardbeg Seann Chreag takes our Distillery’s most complex smoky, sweet flavours to new heights. Whether you’re brave enough to hike up a hill at midnight or prefer to stay closer to sea level, this dark and mysterious Travel Retail exclusive is a rare delight. Aged in sherry and bourbon casks for 21 years, it combines classic notes of hickory-smoked ham, damp peat bog and burning heather with rich, sherried flavours of nut toffee, honey, leather and syrupy figs.”

Ardbeg Seann Chreag 21 Years Old will be available to buy exclusively in global Travel Retail outlets and at the Distillery Visitor Centre. For more information on this bottling and all things Ardbeg, lovers of smoky single malt can join the Ardbeg Committee at ardbeg.com. Membership is free and all Ardbeg fans are welcome.