Ardbeg An Oa The BBQ Smoker

Product Description:

Ardbeg An Oa is a single malt Scotch whisky from the renowned Islay distillery, named after the Mull of Oa peninsula which offers some shelter to the distillery's Kildalton coast. Introduced as part of the core range, An Oa is designed to showcase a rounder, more approachable side of Ardbeg's intense peat smoke character. It achieves this through a unique maturation process, vatting together whiskies aged in different cask types – including sweet Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks, spicy virgin charred oak casks, and classic ex-bourbon casks. These components are then married together in a large French oak 'Gathering Vat' to create greater complexity and a smoother profile, balancing intense smokiness with richer, sweeter notes.

Tasting Notes (for Ardbeg An Oa):

• Nose: Rounded peat smoke alongside notes of creamy toffee, dark chocolate, aniseed, orange peel, and hints of fragrant tea leaves. There's a distinct maritime brine undertone, mingling with subtle richer notes like dates or figs and charred wood.
• Palate: A smooth, almost syrupy texture delivers powerful Ardbeg peat smoke, soot, and tar, beautifully balanced by sweeter flavors of milk chocolate, molasses, treacle toffee, and warming spices like black pepper, clove, and nutmeg from the virgin oak. Hints of smoked fish, green olives, and roasted artichoke add complexity.
• Finish: The finish is long, lingering, and smoky with a subtle sweetness. Notes of aniseed, hickory smoke, charred oak, and a gentle peat tang fade gradually, leaving a satisfying warmth.

Note: Ardbeg An Oa comes bundled with a branded metal smoker accessory designed to sit atop the glass and smoulder wood chips.