This is the new Ardbeg The Abyss bottle
Ardbeg has gone to rather extreme lengths to recreate the essence of a long-lost expression: the first Ardbeg Corryvreckan Limited Edition.
Corryvreckan is the name of a famous whirlpool located to the north of Islay and has been the subject of many Islay legends. Inspired by the legend of Corryvreckan, Ardbeg has maintained an expression with the same name in its core range, which has become a staple among Ardbeg enthusiasts today.
Ardbeg Corryvreckan
Yet, before Corryvreckan became part of the Ardbeg core range, there was the Corryvreckan Limited Edition, released in 2008. At the heart of this edition was a spirit matured in ultra-active toasted French oak casks, which significantly contributed to its high regard.
Although the Corryvreckan Limited Edition is long gone, Ardbeg has revealed that a handful of those historic casks were tucked away. Now, they will re-emerge as Ardbeg The Abyss.
For the new Ardbeg The Abyss, the iconic Islay distillery has collaborated with comic book artist Tradd Moore, who has rendered the legend of the Corryvreckan into artwork that will be part of the expression’s gift display set in the form of a comic book.
“Tradd’s comic re-imagines the tale of the Corryvreckan whirlpool, drawing the reader into another dimension to discover the fate of an enigmatic Lone Figure. Like the whisky itself, his fantastical artwork draws us into a parallel world where sea, space, and spirit collide!”
Official Tasting Notes Ardbeg The Abyss
Color : Deep Autumn Sunset Aroma: Rich, pungent, and aromatic, yet mellow, deep, and gentle simultaneously. The nose offers aromas of toasting marshmallows, aromatic tea leaves, roasted chestnut, and baking sourdough bread, with underlying zestiness akin to lemon balsam. A background sweetness reminiscent of demerara sugar is present, along with a hint of antique leather. With water, herbal top notes emerge, accompanied by a touch of lemon sherbet and pine resin. Taste: The palate delivers a wonderfully mellow mouthfeel with a hint of spiciness, evolving into bold flavors of dark chocolate, pecan nut toffee, old leather, clove, ginger, and a touch of treacle and creosote. Smoke intertwines beautifully with oak tannins throughout. Finish: The finish reveals enticing hints of baked apple, aniseed, and oak. The new Ardbeg The Abyss is a 34-year-old whisky aged in highly active toasted French Oak. Bottled on March 25, 2024, at 48.4% ABV, only 400 bottles will be released, priced at €25,000 (US$ 27,164). The Abyss will come in a special casing inspired by the Corryvreckan whirlpool, featuring port holes, gauges, and a specially engineered locking mechanism reminiscent of a “space-capsule-meets-diving-chamber”.