Ardbeg Day for 2013 has been renamed Ardbog Day in celebration of the peat bogs of Islay.
Australia was the first country to celebrate the international whisky event with an outstanding archaeological-themed afternoon at the The Park Pop-Up in Sydney’s Centennial Park which included a tasting of the Limited Edition Ardbog release.
Guests dressed in tweed and filled the grounds of the Park pop-up bar with many gentlemen looking dashing. Ardbeg cocktails were served on arrival. There was a selection of a much-needed Ardbeg Bloody Mary, a fruity Ardbeg with Passionfruit and another mixed drink made with Ardbeg, Absinthe and topped with soda.
The event was hosted by Simon Thomsen who gave an introduction to the event and announced the archaeological-themed activities of the day. Coins were scattered around the premises for the lucky few who found them. Other games included quoits, bowling, and pinning the tusk on a mammoth, blindfolded, after a dram or a few. Prizes were given including Shortie dogs, the Ardbog Day mascot, T-shirts, Ardbeg glasses, and a coveted book, Ardbeg: A Peaty Provenance.
Food was plentiful and The Bearded Gypsy Band provided live entertainment throughout the afternoon. Overcast skies added a touch of authenticity to the event with the rain holding out until the last half hour before Ardbeg umbrellas made a sudden appearance.
Ardbog Tasting Notes
Created by Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbog is matured using some Manzanilla sherry casks for a minimum of 10 years. Manzanilla is the driest form of sherry, one that is normally drunk chilled as an aperitif and contributes to the Spanish/Mediterranean character of the spirit.
Golden amber in colour, on the nose, there are aromas of green olives and brine, and on the palate, it has a marked saltiness with smoke and dust and some iodine notes as well as its peaty identity. For a 52.1 % ABV spirit, Ardbog is very smooth and the full power of the ABV is not noticeable. It finishes long, dry and oaky. However, the peat is not as pronounced as other Ardbeg expressions.
Photography © by Kevin Burke for Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.
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