Ardbeg has released the second installment in its Y2K vintage series, featuring a 24-year-old single malt finished in Amontillado sherry casks for the first time in the distillery’s history. The limited-edition bottling, priced at $680, represents whisky created during Ardbeg’s pivotal return to full production in 2000.
Rare Islay Whiskey Marks Historic Distillery Revival
The Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 24 Years Old emerges from a significant period in the Islay distillery’s timeline. After being saved from closure in 1997 by The Glenmorangie Company, Ardbeg underwent extensive renovations before resuming full production in 2000. This release contains some of the final spirit produced in the distillery’s 51-year-old still, which was retired in 2001.
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Dr. Bill Lumsden MBE, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, selected Amontillado casks to finish a portion of the millennium stock, blending it with bourbon-aged Ardbeg. The combination creates what the distillery describes as “an exceptionally delicate whisky” bottled at 47.8% ABV.
“The ultra-rare whiskies of our Vintage_Y2K series are hugely precious, since they mark the start of a new generation of Ardbeg,” said Dr. Lumsden. The whisky received a Double Gold award at the International Spirits Challenge 2024.
Unique Ardbeg Character
According to official tasting notes, the whisky presents aromas of creamy toffee, flowering blackcurrants, creosote, coal tar soap, antique leather and almonds. The palate delivers intense smoky flavors with coal tar, woodsmoke, and antiseptic lozenges meeting bonfire embers. The finish is long and lingering with hints of menthol, eucalyptus, linseed oil and charcoal.
This release follows the 2024 launch of the 23-year-old expression in the Vintage_Y2K series, which featured bourbon and Oloroso sherry cask maturation. The 24-year-old edition is expected to be more limited in availability than its predecessor.
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The millennium year also marked the founding of the Ardbeg Committee, a global fan organization that now spans over 140 countries with more than 200,000 members. The group was established to ensure the distillery would never face closure again.
Ardbeg, established in 1815, is known for producing some of Scotland’s most peated and complex single malts. The distillery has accumulated more than 50 gold and double gold medals in major whisky competitions since 2008, including multiple “World’s Best Single Malt” awards at the World Whiskies Awards.
The Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 24 Years Old is available now at select retailers worldwide.
