|
Malt Whisky Distilleries
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ardbeg Distillery
PA42 7EA
Port Ellen
Islay, Argyll
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0) 1496 302244
Website
Long before Ardbeg was officially founded distillers
and smugglers operated around Ardbeg's well hidden rocky cove on the
south-eastern shore
of Islay (despite this
the name Ardbeg is Gaelic for 'Small Headland'). Run by the MacDougall family
the distillery had a peak in the middle 1880s with 60 employees and a
procuction that exceeded 1 million litres. The familiy sold it in 1973 and in
1981 Allied Distillers mothballed it since they believed to have enough whisky
stored to be able to meet future demand. In 1996, Glenmorangie PLC revived the
distillery and its craftsmanship. Later they sold it to LMVH in 2004. The
Ardbeg Committee, with members in over 90 contries, invites all Ardbeg fans to
a free membership.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Information about the tour at Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery
Tour in short: Very nice visitor centre found nestling in a rocky cove on Islay's southern
tip. Repaired and revived in 1997 (not to
mention repainted!). In the Old Kiln
Cafe you can enjoy a dram and Mary's celebrated home-cooking.
You can also tour the place with the distillery folk
and pick up a bottle or two from the Old Kiln shop.
Information for visiting Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery
Travel Directions: Once you arrive on
Islay it's easy to find Ardbeg - although not quite so simple as following
your nose. Take the low road south towards Port Ellen, pass Laphroaig,
Lagavulin then before you come to the Kildalton Cross you'll see Ardbeg's
rocky cove. You can pick up a road map when you
arrive in Islay.
By car ferry:
Caledonian
MacBrayne (tel: 01475 650100) run the ferry between Kennacraig on the
mainland and Port Ellen / Port Askaig on Islay. Normally 3 sailings daily,
except Wednesdays and Sundays. Time: 2 hours. Prices start at £10.70 for
a foot passenger and from £59 for a car (Winter Prices). Coach
services operate from Glasgow to Kennacraig - contact Scottish Citylink
Coaches on 08705 505050.
By air:
British Airways (tel: 0845 7733377) fly from Glasgow to Islay twice daily.
Time: 30 mins. The little plane flies over Arran, the Mull of Kintyre
and the Kildalton Distilleries before landing right beside the beach.
Opening Hours: September-May, Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm. June-August, 7 days a week, 10am-5pm. Please note that the distillery closes during the Christmas holiday period.
Tour Times: Pre-booking for tours is advisable.
Price admission: Guided tours for £2.50 (refundable at purchase in shop).
Shop: Large selection of whisky and more in Old Kiln Shop
Restaurant: Café and restaurant with Mary's celebrated home-cooking.
Parking: Free parking
Groups: Call in advance for group bookings.
Things of interest regarding Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery
Restaurants nearby: Several restaurants in Bowmore. Otherwise good food at the distillery Café and restaurant with Mary's celebrated home-cooking.
Things of interest: On Islay there's several more distilleries and whiskyshops. There's also a swimmingpool, Golf Club, Dive Center, Sea Safari, Horse Trekking, Shooting Ground; not to mention beautiful nature and wildlife.
Bed & breakfast and hotels nearby: The Island is full of hotels,B&B and guest houses. The White Hart Hotel, Machrie Hotel, Lochside Hotel, The Harbour Inn, Bowmore Hotel, Bridgend Hotel, Port Charlotte Hotel, The Lochindaal Hotel, Ballygrant Inn, Port Askaig Hotel, Persabus Farm Cottage and Pottery, Taobh-na-Mara and many more
The whisky from Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery
Tasting notes: Ardbeg (10 years 46%) Heavy smoke,
full-bodied with a touch of orange, seaweed and liquorice.
The production at Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery
Malt and malting: Port Ellen Maltings (also on Islay) deliver heavy peat-smoked malt since 1973.
Distilling and the stills: Washstills: 2.
21 000 litres Spiritstills: 2,
17 000 litres, “purifiers” which re-distils the alcohol.
Watersource: The soft and peaty water from Loch
Uigeadail, which also has lent its name to Ardbegs latest bottling.
Barrels and casks: Bourbon.
Bond and Warehousing: 4 traditional warehouses on site by the shore, supposedly adding a touch of salt and tang.
Mashing and fermentation: Mashtun: Stainless steel, 4.5 tons. Washbacks: 6, Larch and pinewood.
Production: 1 million litres a year.
Distillery manager: Stuart Thomson.
Owner: LMVH
The history of Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery
History of the distillery: Founded: 1815
by John MacDougall. In 1981 the distillery was mothballed until1997 when Glenmorangie plc stepped in to revive, repair and
restore the distillery back to its former glory. Over £1.4
million has been spent on new heating tanks, steam lines, feed
tanks and more.
Read more about Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery in these books:
Comments from visitors at Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery
Register to comment - it's free and only for security reasons.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
