(Image Source: Ardbeg)

As travel returns in full force, you can bet Ardbeg ain't sleeping on travellers. Ardbeg's new Smoketrails Traveller's Exclusive, an annual release, is making its way to Duty Free shelves globally.

The Ardbeg Smoketrails series searches the world over for the highest quality casks; the first of the series will feature Manzanilla Sherry casks from Spain's Atlantic coast, originating from Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

(Image Source: Ardbeg)

The first Ardbeg Smoketrails is the result of a marriage of  whiskies matured in American oak casks and Manzanilla Sherry casks to "bring a salty, maritime character to the smoky blast of Ardbeg".

The first edition of Ardbeg's Smoketrails sources fine Sherry casks from Spain's Sanlúcar de Barrameda off the Atlantic Coast. (Image Source: Cadiz Turismo)

"For the first edition in this unique collection, Shortie (the Distillery's loyal canine mascot) has been zigging and zagging all over the world in search of the perfect casks for Ardbeg Smoketrails.

Take your senses on a trip towards deep, pungent flavours that hurtle across the palate. A very aromatic whisky, it reveals a hint of moist peat bog, dark chocolate and a very distinctive nuttiness, while storm-churned sea spray soars overhead. Plumes of fennel and pine billow up, leaving a long, lingering trail of aniseed and leather."

(Image Source: Ardbeg)

Official Tasting Notes

Color

Pale Gold

Aroma

Deep, pungent flavours take to the air, a curious combination of tar, saddle soap, pine resin and Brazil nuts. A very aromatic whisky, with lovely herbal notes and a hint of moist peat bog, while storm-churned sea spray soars overhead. With water, some chocolatey notes appear, along with a touch of engine oil.

Taste

A slightly drying mouthfeel, followed by deep, pungent flavours that hurtle across the palate: tar, soot, dark chocolate and a very distinctive nuttiness, like Brazil nuts or hazelnut.

Finish

Plumes of fennel and pine billow up, leaving a long, lingering trail of carbolic soap, aniseed and leather.

Strength

46% ABV

Each edition of the Ardbeg Smoketrails, to be released in batches annually, will see a vatting of Ardbeg matured in American oak casks alongside "hand-picked, highly rare casks chosen from a special location".

(Image Source: Ardbeg)

The first edition Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla Edition will be made available from early October 2022 in UK airports, before a global rollout in November 2022.

Kanpai!

@111hotpot