Held annually on the final Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt (Fèis Ìle), Ardbeg Day is a global celebration of all things Ardbeg. This year, festivities will take a turn at the Distillery and around the world on Saturday, June 1, as Ardbeg marks the occasion with one of its most eclectic experiments to date – Ardbeg Spectacular.

The Distillery’s first whisky aged in port casks, this avant-garde limited edition showcases a spectacle of flavors never before tasted at Ardbeg. Vaulting on to the shoulders of classic bourbon-matured Ardbeg, whisky wholly matured in these port barrels brings a richness and a twist of color to the Islay malt.

Taking inspiration from the whisky’s deep, dark cavalcade of flavors, the Islay single malt is inviting fans to join its very own “Dark Circus” on Ardbeg Day. For one day only, at the Distillery and at local events across the globe, whisky fans can delve into an offbeat and smoky Ardbeggian take on the circus, through intriguing tastings, outlandish games and an extravaganza of peaty delights.

“Ardbeg Spectacular is a high-flying spirit, very befitting of Ardbeg Day. Its years in bourbon and port casks create a spectacle of flavors, the like of which Ardbeggians have never tasted before,” Gillian Macdonald, Ardbeg Master Blender, said in a news release. “We invite fans to roll up and feast their palates on its peculiar notes of mint chocolate, incense, lavender and smoked nuts, set off by a daring double act of salted caramel and tar. Like the finest performances in the circus ring, this is a whisky not to be missed.”

“This Ardbeg Day we will celebrate our whisky in the most spectacular style – from this new limited edition, to our core range favorites like Ardbeg Ten Years Old,” Jackie Thomson, Distillery Visitor Centre Manager and Ringmaster Extraordinaire, said. “I’m looking forward to entering into the spirit of the circus with fans at the Distillery, online and across the globe on 1^st June, as we come together to juggle big, bold smoky flavors and marvel at the phenolic phenomenon that is Ardbeg.”

Ardbeg Spectacular will be available to buy worldwide from Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists, online retailers, and from the Distillery Visitor Centre.

For more news on Ardbeg Day 2024 and all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at ardbeg.com/en-gb/committee.