"Released in 1997, over 25 years ago, 17 Years Old was a peaty pioneer that paved the way for future Ardbegs. Beloved by the Committee, it was one of the first bottles to leave the Distillery's doors after reopening. Now, as it leaves once more, this legendary dram traces the old profile note by note. Renewed, 17 Years Old returns home... just as extraordinary as it was before."

This homage to the original 17 Years Old carries the tasting notes "Fresh pine resin, enticing aromas of malted barley and toasted bread perch on the palate. Delicate notes of cocoa powder and caffe latte soar alongside hints of oak smoke and chewy aniseed toffee. The peat returns for an enormously long finale."

No fancy labels or fantastical stories this time as the Islay giant Ardbeg seems almost somber as it brings back an expression from its past, the 17 Years Old, which will be bottled at 40% ABV.

The first release of the Ardbeg 17 Years Old from 1997.

Today, Ardbeg is bigger than ever, but some might recall that the distillery that was first established in 1798, had gone through some tough times in the 1980's till the mid-1990's under the ownership of Hiram Walker, during which production had halted and was eventually resumed only at a low capacity, and many thought it might not make it out alive.

Ultimately, a 1997 acquisition by the Glenmorangie company had sought to reopen the distillery in full (which finally happened in 1998), during which the 17 Years Old was one of its first expressions released. 

Are you ready for this homage to the past?