Ardbeg Millennium Series Y2K 25yo

11 Sept

Ardbeg’s Millennium Series culminates in oldest and rarest release.

Ardbeg Islay single malt today completes its ultra-rare millennium vintage series with its oldest and rarest release yet: the rich and zesty Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 25 Years Old. Distilled at a defining moment in the Islay Distillery’s story, this highly limited bottling is created from some of the first Ardbeg ever finished in Tempranillo wine casks from Spain.

The year 2000 was a particularly memorable one on the remote Scottish island of Islay. Not only was it the heyday of the fabled millennium bug, which sparked fears of computerised chaos across the island and the globe – but also a seminal year for Ardbeg, the world’s smokiest, peatiest Islay malt whisky. Saved from extinction in 1997, then renovated and revived, the Distillery finally returned to full production in 2000. The three whiskies of the Vintage Y2K series are born from that moment of regeneration. Each a smoky anomaly, they unite unrepeatable spirit from the Distillery's historic 51-year-old still (retired in 2001 after loyal decades of service) with whisky-making techniques new to Ardbeg.

Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 25 Years Old is the third and final whisky in the series – making it a coveted piece for collectors striving to complete their Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K sets. As is fitting for such a precious Ardbeg, the whisky’s flavour profile is equally rare and unique. Initially aged in classic bourbon casks, this single malt was earmarked for a particularly intriguing finish by Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, a long-time wine enthusiast.

He transferred the whisky into Tempranillo red wine casks, sourced from Bodega Numanthia in north-west Spain. With a Celtic heritage, ancient vines – some as old as Ardbeg itself – and wines renowned for their intense flavours, this celebrated wine estate has much in common with Ardbeg. Used for the first time at the Distillery, its casks reveal a uniquely complex whisky, with rich notes of coffee, smoked fruit and barbecue ribs sprinkled with paprika, combined with peat smoke and sweet chilli – flavours amplified by the whisky’s custom ABV of 48%.

Dr Bill said: “It’s been an honour to celebrate Ardbeg’s reawakening in 2000 through the ultra-rare whiskies of our Vintage_Y2K series. With each release more limited than the last, these smoky anomalies bring together Ardbeg’s heritage and spirit of innovation to memorable effect.”

“The oldest and rarest release of the series yet, Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 25 Years Old is a fitting finale. Crafted from some of the final spirit distilled in our historic still, then finished in Bodega Numanthia’s intensely flavoured Tempranillo red wine casks, it celebrates both Ardbeg’s enduring character and its restless spirit of innovation. Collectors will love this whisky’s rich, zesty complexity. Aromas of chilli chocolate, smoked blackcurrants and paprika are followed by tastes of coffee, spare ribs and distinctively Ardbeggian menthol and lime pickle. A memorable final chapter in our Vintage_Y2K series.”

For collectors with Noughties nostalgia, it is still possible to collect a full Vintage_Y2K series, as the last few remaining bottles of the first two whiskies are still available. Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 23 Years Old is a citrussy and sooty aged Ardbeg matured in bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks. Ardbeg Vintage_Y2K 24 Years Old is an exceptionally delicate whisky aged in bourbon and Amontillado sherry casks (a first for Ardbeg).

Ardbeg Y2K 25 Years Old (48% ABV) RRP £730 and the other whiskies in the Vintage_Y2K series are available to purchase from Ardbeg.com, the Distillery Visitor Centre, The Whisky Exchange, Berry Bros. & Rudd, Master of Malt and other specialist retailers.

Ardbeg Y2K 25 Years Old Tasting Notes:

ABV: 48%

Colour: Pale Bronze

Aroma: Very subtly smoky, with hints of smoked blackcurrants, chilli chocolate, and a curious note of aged balsamic vinegar. A few drops of water brings hints of linseed oil and smoked paprika.

Taste: Rich, spicy and smoky, with flavours of coffee grounds, dark chocolate, smoked fruits and a touch of barbecued spare ribs. There are some classic Ardbeg medicinal notes, eucalyptus and camphor, along with touches of paprika, mustard seed and sweet chilli.

Finish: Lingering and zesty, reminiscent of lime pickle and tar.

RRP: £730 / €850