Ardbeg Islay single malt whisky announced the second release of rare and strange single malts in its Anthology Collection. Ardbeg Anthology: The Unicorn’s Tale is Ardbeg’s first whisky matured in a marriage of Madeira wine casks and bourbon casks. Aged 14 years, this intriguing limited edition whisky takes smoky-malt lovers on a flavor-filled canter through powerful bursts of smoke and notes of banana, menthol, and lime.

The Ardbeg Anthology Collection comprises unusual single malts from the Distillery, which cross classic Ardbeg with experimental stock for new flavor combinations. In homage to these whiskies’ outlandish “hybrid” style, each malt’s name and packaging are inspired by a different mythological creature, which some say they have glimpsed on Islay (although others are understandably skeptical).

The Unicorn’s Tale fuses the tropical sweetness of whisky aged in Madeira casks with Ardbeg’s trademark zesty, smoky notes, resulting in a fruity, aromatic, smoky creation. It follows Ardbeg Anthology’s inaugural release, The Harpy’s Tale, which marries classic Ardbeg with the Distillery’s first whisky aged in Sauternes sweet white wine casks.

“At Ardbeg we love experimenting with how we can push our spirit’s smoky balance into new worlds of flavor,” Dr. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, said in a news release. “Some time ago, we decided to try maturing Ardbeg in unusual cask types for the distillery to create sweet and smoky ‘hybrids’– and so the Anthology Collection was born.

“The Unicorn’s Tale is the second release in this series, which has been created by marrying classic Ardbeg matured in bourbon casks with a parcel of whisky wholly matured in sweet Madeira wine casks.”

With an ABV of 46%, Ardbeg Anthology: The Unicorn’s Tale will be available for purchase on ReserveBar.com and at select Wine & Spirits retailers in the US for an RSP of $159.99.

Read more: Ardbeg Releases Sweet-Meets-Smoky The Harpy’s Tale

About Ardbeg

Established in 1815, Ardbeg is revered by connoisseurs around the world. During the 1980s and 1990s, Ardbeg suffered from an uncertain future, and it was not until the brand was purchased by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997 that the Distillery was saved from extinction.