Ardbeg has released its new Committee Release to celebrate its dedicated fanbase’s 25th anniversary.

Named Eureka! (Reportedly because the tasting notes gave the distillery team a ‘eureka moment’), it honors the members of Ardbeg's whisky club, a committee created in February 2000 by a few committed Ardbeg enthusiasts who aimed to prevent the distillery from ever closing again after many years of uncertainty.

Today the Ardbeg Committee boasts over 200,000 members from more than 140 countries.

Eureka! is a comprised of whiskies aged in Pedro Ximénez Sherry and roasted malt whisky matured in Bourbon casks.

It is said to have notes of "juicy red apples and plump cherries on the nose, with signature smoke and fresh coffee granules. The palate explodes with nut toffee brittle, raisin fudge and dark fruits, running to a long and chewy finish with sweet treacle toffee and burning embers."

The inspiration for this new release stems from a "blind tasting" conducted on Ardbeg Day 2023. 100 whisky enthusiasts from 15 countries participated in "Operation Smokescreen," where they evaluated five Ardbeg samples.

Dr. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg's director of whisky creation, and master blender Gillian Macdonald then analysed the tasting data within their sensory laboratory. 

This release comes a month after The Glenmorangie Company opened bookings for its new Ardbeg House hotel, set to open in autumn 2025.

Last year, Milroy's Whisky Travel Index listed Ardbeg as having Scotland’s best distillery tour and tasting experience.

Bottled at 52.2% ABV, Ardbeg Eureka! is available on the brand’s website exclusively to committee members for £72 (US$90) from 27 February, with a small amount available directly from the distillery for visitors.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team