Ardbeg An Oa / Undercrown 10

46.6% ABV

Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Islay, Scotland

The Gathering Place 

This expression of Ardbeg, named after the Mull of Oa, a rocky peninsula on Islay’s southwestern coast, An Oa (pronounced “an oh”) pays homage to one of the island’s most wild and exposed landscapes. The Mull of Oa serves as a protective barrier against the fierce Atlantic storms that batter Islay’s coastline, creating a microclimate that affects everything from the local vegetation to the air in the distillery’s warehouses. The Mull of Oa historically served as a gathering place for Islay’s communities, offering protection from both the elements and, during turbulent times, invaders. 

The Resurrection of Ardbeg 

Ardbeg’s history is marked by near-death experiences and triumphant revivals. Officially established in 1815, though illicit distilling had been taking place on the site for decades prior, Ardbeg stood as one of Islay’s most revered distilleries throughout the 19th century. However, the 20th century brought challenges that nearly spelled the end for this peat-smoke powerhouse. 

After changing hands multiple times and suffering through a global whisky downturn, Ardbeg was mothballed in 1981, reopened in 1989, then closed again in 1996. The distillery’s equipment sat silent. What was once a cornerstone of the Islay whisky scene seemed destined to become another footnote in the island’s distilling history. 

In 1997, The Glenmorangie Company (now part of LVMH) saw the potential in the dormant operation and acquired it, investing heavily in renovations and revitalization. Under the guidance of Dr. Bill Lumsden, director of distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks, and distillery manager Mickey Heads (who has since retired in 2020, passing the torch to Colin Gordon), Ardbeg experienced a renaissance that has elevated it from near-extinction to cult status among peat-heads. 

The Magic of Gathering 

What sets An Oa apart from other expressions in Ardbeg’s core range is its unique maturation process. While traditional Ardbeg offerings like the 10-Year-Old and Uigeadail (pronounced “Oog-a-dal”) are primarily aged in specific cask types, An Oa represents a more complex approach to whisky aging. 

At the heart of An Oa’s creation is the Gathering Vat, a large French oak vessel housed in Ardbeg’s Gathering Room. This custom-built marrying vat serves as a meeting point for whiskies matured in several different cask types: bourbon barrels, Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, and virgin oak. The spirit rests in this vat, allowing the varied influences to harmonize before bottling. 

The Gathering Vat concept draws inspiration from traditional whisky-making techniques that had fallen out of favor in an age of efficiency. By reviving this method, Ardbeg has created a whisky that balances the distillery’s signature peat smoke with a rounded smoothness that makes it more approachable than some of its more intense siblings. 

The Character of Peat 

While most Islay whiskies share a reputation for peatiness, each distillery employs this ancient fuel source in its own way. Ardbeg’s approach to peat is defined by its intensity—the barley used in production is peated to approximately 50-55 phenol parts per million (ppm), making it among the most heavily peated malts on the island. 

Peat from Islay is different from mainland peat. Formed from compacted layers of sphagnum moss, heather, and maritime vegetation over thousands of years, Islay peat carries the essence of the sea. When this peat is burned to dry malted barley, it imparts not just smokiness but also briny, medicinal, and earthy qualities that have become the signature of Islay malts. 

Pairing by: Erik Calviño

Tasting Notes: Ardbeg An Oa

Ardbeg An Oa should be enjoyed neat, but at 46.6% ABV, a drop or two of water won’t diminish it. In this whisky, Ardbeg have deliberately tempered the peat character by employing a variation of casks during maturation. The marriage of intense smoke with sweeter notes from sherry casks and spice from virgin oak makes An Oa a gateway for those new to Ardbeg’s intense profile, while still offering the complexity that has made Ardbeg famous. 

Cigar Pairing: Undercrown 10

Enjoyed after a puff of the Undercrown 10 from Drew Estate, the Ardbeg An Oa temporarily turns into a smoky dessert spirit. The candied sweetness and butterscotch take center stage for a moment before settling back down and returning to balance. The Undercrown 10 benefits from the mouthwatering effects of the whisky and the flavors turn to a cranked up dark chocolate. It tastes like the cigar version of a raspberry dark chocolate cake. A wonderful pairing. 

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