Ardbeg Y2K Is Officially On Sale

Following the news of a new Ardbeg release looking back at the nostalgic era that was the millennium, Ardbeg Distillery has announced that the Ardbeg Y2K is now available for purchase. The bottle costs £670 (~$855) and can be purchased via the Ardbeg website now. 

The turn of the millennium was a significant event across the world, with the terrifying prospect of a technological doomsday sweeping the globe. At Ardbeg, however, big things were also happening but on a smaller scale. 

Ardbeg Distillery experienced something of a renaissance in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The distillery was purchased by Glenmorangie plc in 1997 following a turbulent time under Allied Distillers marred by multiple periods of mothballing. Then, in 2000, the distillery launched its first 10 Year Old and founded the Ardbeg Committee to promote the brand overseas and offer exclusive benefits to members. As such, the Y2K period, as it is sometimes known, is enshrined in memory by Ardbeg employees and enthusiasts alike. The Ardbeg Y2K is a celebration of this integral period in the distillery’s history. 

The news of this release was announced in May 2024, with Master Distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden saying: “Ardbeg Vintage Y2K is a phenomenal souvenir of a pivotal year at Ardbeg. Crafted at the dawn of a new era in our historic still, this ultra-rare whisky has been stowed carefully at the Distillery ever since. Herbal, citrusy and sweet on the nose, before soot, peppermint and coffee explode on the palate, this retro collectors’ classic is pure Ardbeg nostalgia.”

The Ardbeg Y2K was distilled in 2000 and bottled at 46% ABV in 2023 after over two decades of maturation in a combination of ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks. 

Those who were interested in purchasing the Ardbeg Y2K were invited to register their interest on the Ardbeg website in May. If you did not register, never fear, you still have the opportunity to purchase the bottle here.