Ardbeg Feòrag: An Amontillado Release for Japan's Committee Only

An Ardbeg for Japan alone

Feòrag is the Scottish Gaelic word for squirrel, and that is how Ardbeg sees its Japanese fans: fans who seek out rare whiskies and treasure them. The new Ardbeg Feòrag is made for them and goes on sale on 30 November 2026 at 7pm Japan time.

The key facts: 53.2% ABV, 70cl, non chill filtered, no age statement and matured only in Amontillado sherry casks. The price in Japan is around €168 (¥29,700) including tax, with shipping extra.

Why Japan

The brand says the Ardbeg Committee has more than 180,000 members in over 130 countries, and that Japan is among the countries with the most. Dr Bill Lumsden calls Japan his favourite place in the world and its members the most passionate and curious Ardbeggians. He says Feòrag is also the first full Committee release made for Japan.

Hazelnuts as the starting point

The idea came from the wild hazelnuts that grow near the distillery. Lumsden and Master Blender Gillian Macdonald selected smoky Ardbeg to match and matured it only in Amontillado casks, a favourite of Lumsden's. The label fittingly reads "Notable Nuttiness".

On the nose, Ardbeg describes hazelnut, toffee and honey with leather and freshly baked rye bread. A little water brings dates, sultanas, raisins and delicate floral notes. The palate follows with nutty toffee, aniseed, leather and ginger root against persistent smoke, and the finish is long, with creosote, birch tar and clove oil.

What Amontillado changes

Amontillado is a sherry that ages first under a layer of yeast and then in contact with air, and it is known for its nutty notes. That sets Feòrag apart from the sherried Ardbeg most people know: Ardbeg Uigeadail combines ex-bourbon casks with Oloroso, a darker, fuller style. Anyone who knows Uigeadail can expect nut and toffee at the front here, with the dried fruit behind them, at least on the official notes.

How much "first" is in it

Ardbeg calls Feòrag its first whisky matured only in Amontillado casks. Even so, the cask is not entirely new to the distillery. Single cask 2447 from Fèis Ìle 2023 is listed as a first fill Amontillado butt, and the Ardbeg 12 Years Old 2011 Amontillado Single Cask Nr. 2453 at 58.3% ABV carries the style in its name.

In our view, Feòrag is therefore better seen as the first full Amontillado release than as Ardbeg's first cask of this kind. That takes nothing from the idea: single casks show what one cask can do, while here Lumsden and Macdonald deliberately chose the style.

Who can buy it

It is sold only through the Ardbeg Committee Store in Japan, to members of the Japanese Committee, with a limit of two bottles per person. Quantities are limited, and Ardbeg gives no bottle count. Orders ship in December, but not overseas or to forwarding services.

Membership is free and open to anyone aged 20 or over. Even so, we expect this release to be hard to find for collectors outside Japan. Ardbeg Feòrag already has its own page on Spiritory, where you can place a bid.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ardbeg Feòrag?

An Islay single malt at 53.2% ABV, matured only in Amontillado sherry casks. It is made for members of the Ardbeg Committee in Japan and has no age statement.

What does Feòrag mean?

It is the Scottish Gaelic word for squirrel, a nod to Japanese fans who seek out rare whiskies and treasure them.

When and where is it available?

From 30 November 2026 at 7pm Japan time at the Ardbeg Committee Store in Japan, at around €168 (¥29,700), with a limit of two bottles per person and no overseas shipping.

What does it taste like?

Ardbeg describes hazelnut, toffee and honey on the nose, nutty toffee, aniseed, leather and ginger root against persistent smoke on the palate, and a long finish with creosote, birch tar and clove oil.