Ardbeg introduces Harpy's Tale 13 Years
This is the first edition of the new Ardbeg Anthology series
Ardbeg starts a new series of experimental single malts. For their editions, unusual cask maturations are to be used and present Ardbeg Single Malt Whisky of the most diverse aromatic characteristics. The 13-year-old Ardbeg Harpy's Tale is the first in the series.
Two types of casks used for maturation
Dr. Bill Lumsden, Director of Whisky Creation, decided to create the Ardbeg Harpy's Tale from whisky from two different cask maturations. On the one hand, bourbon casks were used, on the other French Sauternes sweet wine casks. The whisky was matured in them for 13 years before it was batched and bottled unchill-filtered at 46% vol. The press release does not reveal anything about the respective proportions of the two types of casks. RRP is £141.
"We embarked on a bold maturation experiment to combine Ardbeg's characteristic smokiness with subtle, sweet notes in The Harpy's Tale. The result is a very unusual, complex whisky that forges the ultimate link between sweetness and smoke. This bottling is unique so far and I look forward to many Ardbeg fans being able to try it shortly. Whiskies in the Anthology range will be rare and perfectly balanced Ardbegs that bring a lot of experience and flavour. There will be more bottlings in this range in the near future," said Dr Bill Lumsden.
Producer's tasting notes for Ardbeg Harpy's Tale
Colour: Amber
Aroma: Very distinctively oily, with touches of extra virgin olive oil, sweet briar wood, aromatic herbs (coriander & sage) and a suggestion of smoked lemon peel. A splash of water releases more oiliness, like linseed oil, a gentle waxiness, and a burst of perfumed, aromatic carbolic soap, and finally, a whiff of crème brulee.
Taste: A soft, oily, mouthcoating texture leads into a rich, sweet, smoky palate, with hints of oak moss, treacle, aniseed lozenges and a lovely, sweet, woody/balsamic flavour. This is then followed by smoked apricots and eucalyptus oil.
Finish: Finally comes a lingering, sweet/smoky aftertaste, with a touch of cumin, cardamon and the merest hint of coconut.
Harpy - a mythological hybrid creature
With the name and the illustration on the packaging, Ardbeg refers to Greek mythology, which tells of harpies. The Harpy Ardbeg tells of has the body of an eagle and the head of a human being. It also lives on Islay and was sighted by Ardbeg's Head Warehouseman Dugga one day on the Mull of Oa - so it says on the packaging of the Ardbeg Harpy's Tale.
