Ardbeg Day Single Cask #4834 14 Year Old 2024 Release (30ml, 56.1%)

Ardbeg Day Single Cask #4834 14 Year Old 2024 Release (30ml, 56.1%)

The Ardbeg Day 14 Year Old Single Cask #4834 (2024 Release) is a rare, small-batch release distilled in 2009 and matured exclusively in a first-fill Moscatel hogshead. Released for Ardbeg Day 2024, this bottling is highly sought after due to its extremely limited run and its use of a Moscatel wine cask—a type rarely seen in Ardbeg's single cask program.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich and aromatic, the nose opens with scents of burning applewood and sweet tobacco. These are followed by floral notes of jasmine and orange blossom, intricately laced with echoes of smoked Earl Grey tea and a distinct malty richness. A few drops of water bring forward deeper notes of butterscotch, dried fruits, and a hint of incense.

Palate: The texture is rich, full, and mouth-coating. It leads with sweet, fruity hints of marmalade and ripe peaches before transitioning into deeper, darker notes of cocoa powder and walnuts dipped in dark chocolate. Mid-palate, suggestions of aniseed, clove, and black pepper emerge alongside the savory scent of damp, smoking heather.

Finish: The finish begins long and dry, showcasing the influence of the Moscatel wood. As it lingers, "figgy" and fudgy flavors surge forward, eventually settling into a classic Ardbeg finale of thick tar and antique leather.

Fun Fact

While the 2024 general release (Ardbeg Spectacular) used a mix of Bourbon and Port casks, this specific single cask (#4834) focused entirely on the First-Fill Moscatel influence. Moscatel is a "sweet wine" cask that typically imparts floral and grapey notes, which in this case, perfectly balances the high-phenolic, 14-year-old Ardbeg spirit to create a profile that is much more "perfumed" than a standard Sherry-matured bottling.