Ardbeg, The Rollercoaster 1981 Cask No 1
Filled during Ardbeg’s final days before its early-1980s closure, this cask captured a distillery on the brink. At the time, little whisky was being set aside for single malt, with most destined for blends, making surviving casks from this period exceptionally scarce. The spirit pre-dated the distillery’s shutdown and the end of its earlier mixed-peat regime, preserving a style that would soon disappear. Later transferred into oloroso sherry wood, the whisky developed away from Ardbeg’s usual bourbon-led profile, with softened peat, gentle ashiness and a mature, sherry-shaped depth that reflects both age and survival.
Nose
Light smoke, toasted almonds, baked bread, toffee, orange peel
Palate
Ash, brown sugar, cranberries, cinnamon
Finish
Leather, aniseed, dates, smoke
A soft puff of smoke sits over sweet nutty aromas on the nose with almonds, fresh bread, toffee and orange peel. The palate is light in texture yet coated with ash and smoke, then turns sweeter with brown sugar, cranberries and cinnamon. The finish runs long with worn leather, aniseed and dates while a gentle smokiness stays in place. A measured mix of sherry and subtle smoke.
Style
Details
Ardbeg, The Rollercoaster 1981 Cask No 1
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