Unusually delicate, yet unmistakably Ardbeg Released over 25 years ago in 1997, 17 Years Old was one of the first bottles to leave the Distillery after reopening. Unusually delicate, yet unmistakably Ardbeg, this whisky found a place in the hearts of the Committee, and set an extraordinary standard for our future. Retired in 2004, Ardbeggians thought that was the last they’d see it. But, while times have been moving quietly on, its return has been years in the making. Dr Bill Lumsden has meticulously crafted this release to mirror the original, retracing the flavour profile note by note, and choosing to bottle at 40% strength, just as it was back then. Aroma Fresh and clean, with hints of pine resin, aniseed, sea spray and lavender soap- very gentle, very restrained, and rather elegant for an Ardbeg. With water, there is a distinctive, flinty minerality, along with subtle hints of sweet peat smoke, malted barley, and a touch of toasting bread. Taste A beautiful, creamy texture is followed by a lovely combination of flavours, with aniseed toffee, café latte, fennel and gentle antiseptic soap. The peat smoke is present, but in a very restrained manner, and leads into a lingering aftertaste with chewy oak, cocoa powder and tar. Finish The peat smoke is present, but in a very restrained manner, and leads into a lingering aftertaste with chewy oak, cocoa powder and tar.