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Ardbeg
Image
Founded
1815
Region
Islay
Status
Operational
Company
Production type
Single malt
Production capacity
2,400,000 litres per year
Ardbeg distillery is located on the south coast of the Isle of Islay in Scotland's Outer Hebrides and is one of three legendary distilleries located on the short road from Port Ellen to Kildalton (joined by Lagavulin and Laphroaig). It is currently part of the Scotch whisky holdings of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy and operated through their subsidiary, The Glenmorangie Company.
Despite being closed twice in the latter 20th century, the distillery's single malt has always been highly-regarded. Its reputation was finally matched by investment when it re-opened in 1997 and it is has been nurtured into one of the most sought-after names in Scotch whisky.
Although the Ardbeg name and its iconic celtic-style letter "A" logo were registered as trademarks in 1911, the latter did not appear on labels of its single malt until the 1970s. Bottlings bearing the Ardbeg name however can be traced back to as early as thirty years prior however.
The Ardbeg brand as we recognise it today was debuted under the ownership of Hiram Walker, who introduced the classic Guaranteed 10 Year Old that is still marketed as the core expression today. The company's primary use of Ardbeg was fillings for its blends however, so a concerted effort to establish the Ardbeg brand was not made until The Glenmorangie Company relaunched it in 1997. Today the 10-year-old is joined in the core range by Wee Beastie, An Oa and Corryvreckan, supported by annual limited editions, batch releases and regular exclusives for the Ardbeg Committee fan group.
Current owner
2004-present
1997-2004
1995-1997
1987-1995
1959-1987
1959-1979
Ardbeg Distillery
Port Ellen
Islay
PA42 7EA
Scotland
1815
1837
1838
1853
1888
1902
1911
1958
1959
1974
1979
1980
1981
1987
1989
1995
1996
1997
1998
2000
2004
2008
2015
2021
Ardbeg distillery is founded by John McDougall.
Distillery is owned by John and son, Alexander, through J&A McDougall & Co.
J&A McDougall becomes insolvent and distillery is sold to Thomas Buchanan Jr's firm, Buchanan, Wilson & Co.
The distillery is licensed to the new company, Alexander McDougall & Co., with Thomas Buchanan Jr as a partner.
Alexander McDougall dies and the company is inherited by his sisters, Margaret and Flora, and former employee, Colin Hay.
Buchanan, Wilson & Co reassign Ardbeg license to Alexander MacDougall & Co, now run by Alexander Wilson Gray Buchanan and Colin Elliot Hay.
Alexander Wilson & Co is incorporated as a limited company.
The iconic Celtic-style "A" emblem is registered as a trademark for the first time.
Ardbeg Distillery Ltd is incorporated.
Alexander McDougall & Co is dissolved and its assets transferred to Ardbeg Distillery Ltd.
Hiram Walker & Sons and the Distillers Company become minority shareholders.
Ardbeg begins buying-in malt from Port Ellen for the first time.
Hiram Walker & Sons become sole owner of distillery.
Floor maltings are closed.
Distillery is mothballed on 25th March.
Allied Lyons acquire Hiram Walker-Gooderham & Worts.
Distillery reopens as part of the Allied Distillers division of Allied Lyons.
Allied Lyons is merged into Allied Domecq.
Distillery is closed again.
Allied Domecq sell Ardbeg to The Glenmorangie Company.
Distillery visitor centre and Old Kiln Cafe opens to the public.
Ardbeg Committee is formed.
First batch of the 10-year-old is released.
The Glenmorangie Company is acquired by LVMH.
Ardbeg Very Young is released as first instalment of Path to Peaty Maturity series, charting progress of spirit distilled by The Glenmorangie Company.
Final release in Path to Peaty Maturity is Renaissance. It is followed by the new 10-year-old.
Ardbeg Blasda is released.
Ardbeg Perpetuum released to celebrate distillery's Bicentenary year.
New still house is completed, doubling stills from two to four.
Active brands
Single malt