Overview: Ardbeg has unveiled Dark Reserve, a new limited-edition Islay single malt created exclusively for The Whisky Club in Australia and New Zealand. The 49.4% ABV release combines whisky matured in black sherry and Ardbeg’s usual bourbon casks before being finished in rare black sherry casks.
The Full Story
Spirits news confirms that the distillery has unveiled Dark Reserve, a new limited-edition Islay single malt created exclusively for The Whisky Club in Australia and New Zealand. According to the distillery, black sherry is comparable to Pedro Ximénez sherry, with grapes sun-dried to concentrate the Spanish wine’s deep, sweet notes. The result is a strikingly deep coloured Ardbeg with rich, sherried notes of molasses, nuts, dates, ginger and clove layered on the distillery’s signature charcoal and peat.
The release takes inspiration from Ardbeg Dark Cove, another black-sherry-cask expression released for Ardbeg Day in 2016. Gillian Macdonald, Master Blender at Ardbeg, described Dark Reserve as “tailor-made” for the Australian market. She noted that by marrying classic bourbon matured Ardbeg with whisky aged in rare black sherry casks, a malt of smouldering intensity was created. Bottled just shy of cask strength to amplify its bold character, Ardbeg Dark Reserve is a whisky tailor-made for friends Down Under.
Seamus Carroll, General Manager of The Whisky Club, added that these supercharged casks come from a single bodega, so working with the team to build a release around them was a truly remarkable experience. Australia and New Zealand are home to some of Ardbeg’s most passionate whisky lovers, so it is a true pleasure to bring this milestone release to Members. The release will be available exclusively to The Whisky Club members in Australia and New Zealand from 2 October for $150 in Australia and $145 in New Zealand.
The release will also be available for a sneak preview at Ardbeg Embassies from 24 September, with Whisky Club and Ardbeg Committee members able to register for complimentary tastings.
Production & Profile
The distillery specifies that black sherry is comparable to Pedro Ximénez sherry, with grapes sun-dried to concentrate the Spanish wine’s deep, sweet notes. The result is a strikingly deep coloured Ardbeg with rich, sherried notes of molasses, nuts, dates, ginger and clove layered on the distillery’s signature charcoal and peat.
The 49.4% ABV release combines whisky matured in black sherry and Ardbeg’s usual bourbon casks, before being finished in the rare black sherry casks.
Brand & Industry History
The release takes inspiration from Ardbeg Dark Cove, another black-sherry-cask expression released for Ardbeg Day in 2016. This historical context highlights the distillery’s continued exploration of rare cask finishes within its portfolio.
Consumer Takeaway
The release will be available exclusively to The Whisky Club members in Australia and New Zealand from 2 October for $150 in Australia and $145 in New Zealand. A sneak preview is scheduled at Ardbeg Embassies from 24 September, with Whisky Club and Ardbeg Committee members able to register for complimentary tastings.
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