Ardbeg BizarreBQ Limited Edition Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml

Ardbeg BizarreBQ is the 2023 limited edition collaboration release from the legendary Ardbeg Distillery, founded in 1815 by the McDougall family on the rugged southeastern coast of the Isle of Islay and now one of the most beloved heavily peated single malt brands in the world. This bottling brought together Ardbeg Master Distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden and renowned barbecue pitmaster Christian Stevenson (better known by his stage name DJ BBQ) to create a barbecue inspired single malt specifically engineered to pair with all things grilled, smoked, charred, and flame kissed. The whisky was matured in a unique three way cask combination: double charred oak casks, toasted Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, and experimental "BBQ casks" (heavily charred custom barrels made using an old fashioned brazier to deliver an additional layer of smoky char straight from the wood). Bottled at 50.9% ABV in February 2023, non chill filtered with natural color, this is a slightly higher proof Ardbeg than the standard core range, delivering a feast of meaty, smoky, sweet, savory, and spicy notes that range from maple glazed bacon and hickory smoked ham to flame grilled steak, BBQ ribs smothered in chili, cinnamon dusted espresso, and the unmistakable Ardbeg coastal peat smoke. Bottle features the playful BizarreBQ cartoon piggy artwork and the distinctive Ardbeg green glass bottle. Released as a one off limited edition that has since sold through at most retailers and is increasingly scarce.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Glowing charcoal ember amber with deep golden highlights from the PX sherry cask influence.

Nose: Puffs of charcoal and soot mingle with smoky wood and aromatic herbs and spices, treacle toffee, hickory smoked ham, cinnamon dusted espresso, maple glazed bacon, molasses, earthy herbs, dried leather, grilled artichokes, truffle infused caramel, walnuts, vanilla, honey, and gentle berry jam concealed behind earthy peat.

Palate: Mouth alive with spice, like BBQ ribs smothered in chili, with flame grilled steak, chili oil, cured leather, clove, ginger, aniseed, tar, dried red pepper, meaty Maillard reaction, smouldering bonfire, cinnamon, star anise, maple syrup, rye bread, and a smoky savory tangy sweet balance.

Finish: Long and warming, with smouldering charcoal, spicy biltong, walnuts, smoked peaches, ashy peat, aromatic woodsmoke edge, gentle spearmint, and the classic Ardbeg coastal peat finish.

FAQ

What is a "BBQ cask"? The Ardbeg BBQ casks are experimental custom built barrels developed by Master Distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden specifically for the BizarreBQ project. The casks are heavily charred using an old fashioned brazier technique rather than the standard distillery cooperage flame, which delivers a notably deeper, more aggressive char layer on the inside of the wood. The result is an additional dimension of charcoal, smoky char, and barbecue pit character that's distinct from what either double charred oak or Pedro Ximénez sherry casks contribute on their own. Combined with the other two cask types, the BBQ casks help deliver the signature meaty BBQ pit aroma that defines this release.

Who is DJ BBQ? Christian Stevenson, better known by his stage name DJ BBQ, is one of the most influential barbecue and live fire cooking personalities in the United Kingdom. A former actor and Food Network host, he runs a massive cooking education platform on YouTube and other social media and has written multiple bestselling cookbooks on outdoor grilling. He partnered directly with Dr. Bill Lumsden to develop the BizarreBQ flavor brief, with the cask selection specifically tuned to pair with the meaty, smoky, savory dishes that define modern American Texas style barbecue.

How does this differ from the Ardbeg 10 Year? The flagship Ardbeg 10 Year is bottled at 46% ABV from ex bourbon casks, delivering the classic Ardbeg coastal peat smoke house style. BizarreBQ is bottled at higher 50.9% ABV from a three way cask combination (double charred oak, toasted PX sherry, and experimental BBQ casks), delivering a notably sweeter, meatier, more BBQ pit forward profile with the PX sherry adding dark fruit sweetness and the BBQ casks adding aggressive char character that the standard 10 simply doesn't have. BizarreBQ rewards pairing with grilled and smoked foods in a way that the 10 isn't specifically tuned for.

How rare is this bottle? Limited edition release from 2023, now discontinued. The original 2023 release was a one off limited bottling distributed globally as part of Ardbeg's annual limited release calendar. The release has since sold through at most retailers, with prices on the secondary market climbing as the limited inventory dries up. Sealed bottles in original packaging are increasingly difficult to source at retail pricing and command growing premium as collectors complete their Ardbeg limited release sets.