Ardbeg is a seaside distillery in the Islay region. On the southeastern side of the island of Islay lie the big three of peat whiskies – Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin. These three distilleries could probably beat up all the other distilleries combined and take their lunch money, such is the power behind the whiskies they produce.
Opened in 1798, Ardbeg steadily produced its brand of whisky until it was nearly lost to the world in the 1980s and 90s, before being bought by Glenmorangie in 1997. Since then, things have only been getting better for Ardbeg, and it’s a great credit to the Glenmorangie directors that they’ve managed to mould the distillery in to what it is today. It’s highly worth a visit, if you get the chance.
Whisky is still made the old fashioned way at Ardbeg, with a couple of stills doing the job. The maturation happens on site with the barrels sitting near the shoreline.