Ardbeg Anamorphic Scotch Whisky
Ardbeg Anamorphic Scotch Whisky is the 2023 Ardbeg Committee release — Dr Bill Lumsden's experiment in "unlocking Ardbeg's hidden 4D flavour" by turning the distillery's house style upside down and inside out. Ex-bourbon casks had their heads removed and deeply scored to expose more wood, then underwent an intense "high mocha" infrared toasting with big flames before flame-charring. Bottled at 48.2% ABV (96.4 proof) in 750mL, non-chill filtered and natural colour, it is a peated Islay single malt re-imagined around mocha, chocolate and spice. It's available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 48.2% (96.4 proof) — not cask strength
- Size: 750mL (US bottling)
- Age: no age statement
- Casks: ex-bourbon casks with deeply scored heads, intense "high mocha" infrared toasting, then flame-charred
- Origin: Ardbeg Distillery, Isle of Islay, Scotland — 2023 Committee-exclusive release
- Process: non-chill filtered, natural colour
Ardbeg, Turned Inside Out
Head distiller Dr Bill Lumsden has said the high-mocha toasting is "what's responsible for unlocking Ardbeg's hidden 4D flavour." The scored, heavily toasted cask heads push Ardbeg's familiar peat in an unexpected direction — peppery, warming, with chili-flavoured chocolate, bitter-sweet mocha, briar wood and birch tar rather than the usual coastal brashness. The Committee label's graphic design even references the tasting notes. Explore more scotch and Ardbeg at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Per the official Moet Hennessy release: burnished bronze colour; nose — earthy, dusty, slightly biscuity, with restrained sooty/tarry notes and silky vanilla, opening to smoked vetiver root, aniseed, fennel, chrysanthemum and jasmine with water. Palate — peppery and warming: chili chocolate, bitter-sweet mocha, briar wood, birch tar, black pepper, smoked artichokes. Finish — a sooty, tarry crescendo of charcoal-bitter almonds and molasses, long.
How to Enjoy
Neat first — this one rewards patience — then add a few drops of water to unlock the floral, aniseed layer the cask work put there. For the Ardbeg fan who thinks they've had it all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ardbeg Anamorphic?
The 2023 Committee-exclusive release, matured in ex-bourbon casks whose heads were deeply scored and given an intense "high mocha" infrared toasting to expose more wood.
What is the ABV of Ardbeg Anamorphic?
48.2% ABV (96.4 proof) — bottled below cask strength.
How peaty is it (PPM)?
No official PPM figure was published for this release; it carries Ardbeg's characteristic peat in a mocha-and-chocolate-led profile.
Is it a limited release?
Yes — a Committee-only 2023 release sold via the distillery, online and select retail.
Islay peat through a mocha-toasted lens — order Ardbeg Anamorphic online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.