Ardbeg The Beithir’s Tale – 15 y/o Islay Single Malt

A 15-year-old limited edition aged in custom bourbon casks

Ardbeg brings its daring Anthology Collection to a dramatic close with “The Beithir’s Tale”, a 15-year-old Islay single malt that explores uncharted territory. This limited edition whisky will be available from August 12 on Ardbeg.com and in Ardbeg Embassies, followed by nationwide release in Germany on August 26. Crafted as a tribute to the mythical Scottish sea serpent Beithir, the whisky is the first in Ardbeg’s history to mature in specially designed bourbon casks—resulting in a bold yet balanced flavour profile that captured Gold Outstanding (98 pts) at the IWSC 2025.

Design and Presentation

The presentation of The Beithir’s Tale stays true to Ardbeg’s mythical storytelling aesthetic, showcasing the serpent-like Beithir in striking, fantasy-inspired artwork. The packaging radiates mystique and tradition while hinting at the innovation within. This bottle marks not only the final chapter of the Anthology Trilogy—following The Harpy’s Tale and The Unicorn’s Tale—but also the most mature expression in the series.

Maturation and Flavor Profile

This 15-year-old single malt was aged in air-dried, heavily toasted, and lightly charred bespoke bourbon casks, crafted to impart creamy and sweet-smoky notes. According to Master Blender Gillian Macdonald, “Defining Ardbeg’s boundaries anew and exploring complex flavours is our highest priority. The sweet-smoky combinations in the Anthology series are the best proof—we made them as experimental as possible.” After a decade and a half in Ardbeg’s warehouses, the whisky emerges with a rich interplay of smoke, menthol, and pine, layered over buttery sweetness.

Colour:

• Pale straw

Nose:

• Spicy-oily with hints of molasses, tarred railway wood, and smoked herbs
• Sweet notes of grilled apples and raisins
• With water: eucalyptus, menthol, fennel, and pinewood

Palate:

• Brilliantly balanced and lively
• Peat smoke, coffee grounds, and blackcurrants
• Nuances of lemon balm and smoked mandarins, finishing with fiery smoky spice

Finish:

• Long, multi-layered, with vanilla and smoked butter

With The Beithir’s Tale, Ardbeg closes its Anthology Trilogy on a mythical and masterful note. For collectors and peat lovers alike, this bottling delivers a unique maturation story, an award-winning profile, and an unforgettable tasting experience—a true Islay legend reborn in smoke and sweetness.