Ardbeg has launched Anamorphic, the latest Committee release, which has been crafted using, what the distillery calls “an experimental and highly extreme cask treatment process”.
This limited release whisky from the Islay distillery has pushed the boundaries of cask charring, as the distillery explained: “After removing the heads from classic Ardbeg bourbon casks, they scored them deeply to expose more wood during the toasting process . The barrels were then charred intensely to a specification called ‘high mocha’, before being filled with Ardbeg spirit. The result is a multidimensional dram that morphs and shifts between four key elements – the sweet, the smoked, the herbal and the spicy.
Dr Bill Lumsden said: “Our high mocha toasting is what’s responsible for unlocking Ardbeg’s hidden 4D flavour. Aromas of earthy peatiness lead into a n Ardbeg from an alternate universe. Bittersweet mocha slowly emerges, while fiery chilli chocolate interlocks with floral chrysanthemum and jasmine. As soon as I tasted Anamorphic, I knew the Ardbeg Committee would find it as intriguing as I did.
“As enigmas wrapped up in conundrums go, this whisky takes Ardbeg to a whole new level.”
Anamorphic’s eye-catching packaging showcases impossible illustrations that mirror the whisky’s tasting notes and also features some characters from the Distillery community woven throughout the design.
Anamorphic is available to Ardbeg Committee members, at $255 and comes in at 48.2 per cent ABV.