Ardbeg An Oa Scotch Whisky
Ardbeg An Oa Scotch Whisky is a 46.6% ABV (93.2 proof) Islay single malt with no age statement, built from spirit matured in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, virgin charred oak and ex-bourbon casks, then married together in Ardbeg Distillery's French-oak "Gathering Vat." Launched in September 2017 as the first permanent addition to Ardbeg's core range in a decade, it is bottled non chill-filtered in a 750mL bottle. Named for the Mull of Oa, the rugged headland at Islay's southern tip. Order Scotch whisky online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 46.6% (93.2 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: No age statement
- Origin: Ardbeg Distillery, Port Ellen, Islay, Scotland
- Production: PX sherry + virgin charred oak + ex-bourbon casks; married in the French-oak Gathering Vat; non chill-filtered
Ardbeg's Rounded Peat
Where Ardbeg 10 is all angles, An Oa is curves: the Pedro Ximénez sherry casks pour dark treacle sweetness over Islay smoke, and the Gathering Vat marriage knits it all into the creamiest texture in the core range. It is the Ardbeg for drinkers who want the peat without the punch in the nose. Compare it with Ardbeg 10 and Corryvreckan or explore the whole Scotch whisky shelf.
Tasting Notes
Per Ardbeg's official notes: a smoky-sweet, rounded aroma of burning applewood, creamy toffee, aniseed, treacle and dates with peach and banana hints; water reveals lime, pine resin, fennel, saddle soap, tar and briny seaweed. The palate is smooth and creamy — syrupy sweetness, milk chocolate, treacle toffee, aniseed, orange, smoky tea leaves, nutmeg and cigar smoke. A lingering, gentle-yet-intense finish of aniseed, hickory and distant smoke.
How to Enjoy
Neat at 93.2 proof it is remarkably smooth; a splash of water brings out the lime and pine-resin brightness. A superb after-dinner dram, and its sherry sweetness makes it the most food-friendly Ardbeg.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "An Oa" mean? It is named for the Mull of Oa, the headland marking Islay's southwestern tip.
Is Ardbeg An Oa peated? Yes — it is an Ardbeg, so the smoke is there, but the PX sherry and Gathering Vat marriage make it the softest, sweetest core-range Ardbeg.
What proof is Ardbeg An Oa? 93.2 proof (46.6% ABV), bottled non chill-filtered.
The sweet-smoke side of Islay — buy Ardbeg An Oa online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.