Ardbeg Anthology 13 Year Old Islay Single Malt Whisky 46% – The Harpy’s Tale

From the legendary whisky island of Islay comes a bottling that both tells a dramatic story and delivers a taste experience in a class of its own. Ardbeg Anthology 13 Year Old Islay Single Malt Whisky – The Harpy’s Tale is the first release in Ardbeg’s exclusive Anthology series, where the distillery celebrates the myths, mysteries and tales of the island. This whisky combines Ardbeg’s iconic smoky character with an elegant and fruity cask maturation for a complex and intriguing dram.

A mysterious tale from Islay

The story behind The Harpy’s Tale begins with a series of mysterious events surrounding the Ardbeg distillery. Locals were alarmed by unexplained disappearances – including underwear suddenly missing from clotheslines. The distillery’s Head Warehouseman, Dugga, who was also an avid birdwatcher, decided to solve the mystery.

At the Mull of Oa, he lurked with his binoculars and waited for the culprit. At first, he thought a golden eagle was behind the strange happenings. But what appeared on the horizon was far rarer than any bird. A shrill cry broke the silence and a wingtip appeared in the air.

It was not an eagle – but a Harpy. A mythical creature with a human head and eagle body that, according to stories, can control storms with its wings. But this Harpy was apparently more interested in socks and underwear than hurricanes. Dugga returned to the distillery with a lighter bottle of Ardbeg and a story that no one really believed. Yet the story lives on – now immortalized in this very special whisky.

Unique cask maturation with Sauternes and bourbon

This 13-year-old Ardbeg is created by combining whisky aged in classic ex-bourbon casks with whisky matured in coveted Sauternes wine casks. The French dessert wine adds an elegant sweetness and fruitiness to the whisky, which plays beautifully with Ardbeg’s intense peat smoke.

The result is an Islay whisky that is both powerful and refined. The smoke is still clear and distinctive, but the sweet fruit notes and rounded texture add a new dimension to Ardbeg’s classic style.

Tasting notes

Aroma: Intense peat smoke with notes of honey, ripe apricot, citrus and vanilla. Behind the smoke are hints of tropical fruit and sweet vinous character from the Sauternes casks.

Palate: Full-bodied and complex with classic Ardbeg smoke combined with nuances of peach, citrus marmalade, vanilla cream and light spices. The sweet fruitiness from the wine casks gives the whisky a soft and balanced character.

Finish: Long and warm with lingering peat smoke, honey, citrus and an elegant vinous sweetness.

About Ardbeg Distillery

Ardbeg is one of the most iconic distilleries on Islay and known for some of the world’s smokiest and most characterful single malts. Founded in 1815, the distillery has built up an almost cult-like status among whisky enthusiasts over the generations. With respect for tradition and a constant drive for innovation, Ardbeg creates whiskies that continue to set the standard for powerful Islay whisky.

• Country: Scotland
• Region: Islay
• Distillery: Ardbeg
• Type: Single Malt Whisky
• Age: 13 years
• Cask storage: Ex-bourbon casks and Sauternes wine casks
• Quantity: 70 cl
• Alcohol: 46%alcohol