Ardbeg Day 2015 & Ardbeg Perpetuum

Ardbeg Day 2015

One of the perks of being an Ardbeg Committee Member is receiving an invitation for Ardbeg Day, the much anticipated event that unites Ardbeg fans around the world. With 2015 marking the 200th birthday of the Islay distillery, the chosen theme this year promised to be “transporting Committee Members 200 years into the future” rather than looking at the past.

But it seems email would become non-existent in the future as no automatic confirmations were received upon registering for the event which sent ripples of discontent amongst fans across social media. After some nail biting and a couple of emails and tweets to Ardbeg later, LVMH Australia confirmed that the RSVP’s had been accepted and details would be sent out soon.

So it was with great anticipation and the promise of Segway racing, hoverboards and much more that the trek was made to White Bay at Sydney Harbour.

And what an event it was.

Hostesses and Ardbeg dogs clad in metallic cloth welcomed guests as they stepped through the silver curtain revealing a retro futuristic setting with a DeLorean. No Marty McFly or hitting 88 miles per hour, but guests had the opportunity to be photographed with the iconic car and share the photo on social media.

The Ardbeg Haar attracted a line up of guests, eager to inhale Ardbeg 10 through a straw while others played a Space Invaders game, table hockey, rode hoverboards on a wheel and raced robotic dogs with a mind of their own in order to win an Ardbeg prize. Some were tempted to segue to the future with an obstacle Segway course, properly supervised with safety gear.

Two cocktails were served throughout the event, the Super Tonic, made with Ardbeg blueberry, rosemary and lemon charged with tonic, and the Elton, a combination of Ardbeg, peach and agave with hints of green tea and citrus.

Ardbeg Perpetuum

Ardbeg Perpetuum was unveiled through the mist to the sound of 2001 A Space Odyssey music theme and presented by Andrew Derbidge of the SMWS.

Bearing no age statement, Ardbeg Perpetuum (47.4% ABV) is made up of old and young Ardbeg whiskies aged in both bourbon and sherry casks which include Ardbeg Alligator, Ardbog and Ardbeg Corryvreckan.

Pale straw colour in the glass, Ardbeg Perpetuum has a soft nose and subdued peat with some vanilla and citrus hinting at being a softer style of Ardbeg. On the palate, it comes alive with the robust Ardbeg signature peat leading onto fruit and spice notes from the sherry casks. The finish is dry, salty and lingering, living up to its name.

Ardbeg has chosen well for its 200th birthday. No doubt Ardbeg Perpetuum will become a keepsake for many Ardbeggians but it is a whisky to be enjoyed with the best of friends.

Slainte and here’s to to the next 200 years!