In addition to the ever growing wealth of whisky festivals and tastings that have popped up over the last few years, there’s also
been a gaggle of other annual whisky events/launches that have now firmly established themselves
into the whisky calendar.

Be it for World Whisky Day, a Glenmorangie Private Edition
release or the launch of the Diageo Special Releases, having a key day in the
dramming diary is now becoming an ever increasing must.


Following on and complementing their already revered and
much sought after annual Committee Release bottling’s, last year Ardbeg launched
their very first Ardbeg Day, a global celebration of all things Ardbegian. It
also saw the release of their latest Committee Release bottling, cunningly
named Ardbeg Day.

June 1st 2013 marks the second Ardbeg Day or should I say
Ardbog Day, as this year’s event and accompanying bottling are named in homage to
the all-important peat bogs of Islay.

The nose kicks off with wondrous wacking waves of assorted
smoked charcuterie, pork crackling smothered in apple sauce, Chinese crispy
duck, sherry vinegar and the aroma from the inside of a foil Peperami wrapper.

Forest fruits and its accompanying green foliage make for
the next set of nasal niceties, as does a tar infused bicycle inner tube, a handful
of chocolate salted caramels, warm peanut brittle and sprigs of lavender and
rosemary.

The palate kicks off with balanced bouts of smoked brine, crispy bacon,
maple syrup, toasted oak and a citrus clove infusion. Followed by a handful of chocolate
covered raisins and all the big purples from a tin of Quality Street.

A teaspoon of Bonne Maman damson plum conserve, a glug of
black peppered caramel sauce and an air of earthy damp freshness then add an
additional level of depth of balance, ahead of a smoky and sumptuous finish
that’s luscious long and lingering.