Ardbeg Whisky Sample 17 Year Old 2024 Release (30ml, 40%)

Ardbeg Whisky Sample 17 Year Old 2024 Release (30ml, 40%)

The Ardbeg 17 Year Old (2024 Release) is one of the most nostalgic and talked-about whiskies in recent years. This bottle marks the long-awaited return of a "lost legend." The original 17-year-old was a flagship for Ardbeg in the late 90s, but it was discontinued in 2004 due to a lack of aged stock.

To honor the original, Master Distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden broke Ardbeg’s modern "rules." While Ardbeg usually bottles at 46% and non-chill filters, this recreation is bottled at 40% and chill-filtered, just like the 1997 classic, to preserve that specific, elegant texture.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Remarkably fresh, clean, and restrained. It opens with pine resin, aniseed, and sea spray. Unlike the high-octane smoke of Corryvreckan, this is subtle and floral, with notes of lavender soap and flinty minerality. With a drop of water, a sweet maltiness emerges, reminiscent of toasting bread and honeyed barley.

Palate: The texture is smooth and creamy. The flavor profile is a sophisticated mix of aniseed toffee, café latte, and fennel. The peat smoke is definitely there, but it is "whispered" rather than shouted—earthy, medicinal, and integrated. There’s a curious touch of gentle antiseptic soap and a light vanilla sweetness.

Finish: Long but delicate. It leaves a lingering trail of chewy oak, cocoa powder, and tarry rope. The smoke remains in the background, providing a warm, ashy glow that fades slowly into a salty, mineral conclusion.

Why it's special

• The Nostalgia Factor: If you loved the original 17-year-old, this is a must-buy. It is designed specifically to trigger those memories of "old" Ardbeg.

• The 40% Debate: Many modern enthusiasts critique the 40% ABV and chill-filtration. However, Ardbeg maintains that this was the only way to authentically replicate the delicate, silky mouthfeel of the 1990s release.