Dining

Ardbeg Spectacular Limited Edition port-aged whisky offers big, bold flavours and chewy complexity

Ardbeg Spectacular whisky

Lauded purveyor of peaty single malts, Ardbeg, has launched a new limited edition single malt scotch whisky, dubbed Ardbeg Spectacular.

The Distillery’s first whisky aged in Port wine barrels, this expression boasts a rather different flavour profile from the brand’s more familiar bourbon-matured bottlings.

The Spectacular launch corresponds with its annual Ardbeg Day celebration, held on the final Saturday of Islay’s Fèis Ìle Festival of Music and Malt.  This year’s festivities at the Distillery, will be echoed with other events around the world on June 1.

Taking inspiration from the whisky’s deep, flavour notes, the smoky malt specialist is inviting fans to join its very own ‘Dark Circus’ on Ardbeg Day. We’re promised ‘an offbeat and smoky Ardbeggian take on the circus, through intriguing tastings, outlandish games and an extravaganza of peaty delights.’

This limited edition boasts a rather different flavour profile from the brand’s more familiar bourbon-matured bottlings…

Ardbeg Spectacular tasting notes

We’ve had an early sample of Ardbeg Spectacular, and found it to be a whisky of big, bold flavours, and chewy complexity.

Bottled at 46% ABV, the liquid is burnt orange of hue, and offers aromatic BBQ smoke on the nose, along with an almost tropical sweetness and the unmistakable aroma of two stroke lawn mowers.

This summery bouquet carries across to the palate, which offers notes of warm apple pie, Black Jack chews, a dark chocolate richness, and shavings of cinnamon. It’s an elaborate, earthy dram, one that might lend itself to a spectacular (!) Old Fashioned.

Ardbeg Spectacular is available to purchase online for £110 at Ardbeg.com and Master of Malt

Karen Gillan fronts Compass Box Hedonism 2026 limited edition Scotch whisky

Actor Karen Gillan has been unveiled as The Muse for Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box, gracing the label art for the company’s upcoming 2026 Hedonism release.  A fan favourite in blockbuster franchises such as Doctor Who (Amy Pond), Guardians of the Galaxy (Nebula) and Jumanji (Ruby Roundhouse), Gillan has become one of Scotland’s most recognisable international…

Celebrity-founded Brother’s Bond Bourbon makes UK debut with starry four-grain whiskey range

Brother’s Bond Bourbon has launched in the UK, bringing its premium four-grain American whiskey portfolio to British shelves for the first time. Founded in 2020, the celebrity-fuelled brand has been making waves Stateside with accessible yet layered bourbon and rye, distinguished by hands-on blending, careful barrel selection, and a commitment to regenerative agriculture. Co-founders Ian…

Valentine’s Day drinks gift guide: fine wine, champagne and rare spirits they’ll love

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Hackstons of Knightsbridge is offering a curated selection of last-minute luxury drinks gifts certain to elevate the most romantic night of the year. In-house expert Guillaume Ragot has selected five outstanding bottles that tick all the right boxes, from celebratory sparkling wines, to memorable sippers, and luxury after-dinner…

Unknown's avatar

About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and Editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Good Housekeeping, Louder Sounds, StereoNet and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter/X, Tiktok and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK