Anamorphic is one of the more genuinely experimental things Ardbeg has done, and it was never sold to the general public. Released in November 2023 as a Committee exclusive, it was available online only to Ardbeg Committee members, with a very small allocation sold at the distillery on Islay itself. The experiment concerns wood rather than barley. Ardbeg took its classic ex bourbon casks, removed the heads entirely, and scored them deeply to expose far more timber surface than a normal cask presents. Those heads were then toasted and charred to a specification the distillery calls high mocha, using a combination of infrared and open flame. More exposed wood at a more extreme char means a fundamentally different extraction, and the result is an Ardbeg that reads, as the distillery puts it, upside down and inside out. The briny overtones are tempered and a hidden chocolate sweetness is pulled forward. It pours burnished bronze. The nose is earthy, dusty and faintly biscuity, with sooty tarry notes present but unusually restrained, balanced by a silky vanilla. Water opens a remarkable spread of herbal and floral character, smoked vetiver root, aniseed, fennel, chrysanthemum and jasmine. The palate is peppery and warming before an explosion of fiery spice: chilli chocolate, bittersweet mocha, briar wood, birch tar, black pepper and smoked artichoke. The finish builds to a crescendo of smoke with a lingering aftertaste of charcoal, bitter almond and molasses. Non chill filtered at 48.2 percent. Drink it neat, then add water, because it changes character entirely.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
48.2% |
| Proof |
96.4 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Scotland |
| Region |
Islay |
| Category |
Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Expression |
Anamorphic, Committee Release |
| Year Bottled |
2023 |
| Maturation |
Ex bourbon casks with heads removed, scored and high mocha toasted |
| Age |
No age statement |
| Filtration |
Non chill filtered |
| Colour |
Natural, no added colouring |
| Distillery |
Ardbeg Distillery Limited, established 1815 |
Tasting Notes
Color: Burnished bronze, natural and uncoloured.
Nose: Earthy, dusty and slightly biscuity, with restrained sooty and tarry notes balanced by silky vanilla. Water reveals smoked vetiver root, aniseed, fennel, chrysanthemum and jasmine.
Palate: Peppery and warming, opening into fiery spice with chilli chocolate, bittersweet mocha, briar wood, birch tar, ground black pepper and smoked artichoke.
Finish: Builds to a crescendo of rich smoke, with a long aftertaste of charcoal, bitter almond and molasses.
FAQ
What proof is Ardbeg Anamorphic? It is bottled at 96.4 proof, or 48.2 percent alcohol by volume, non chill filtered and at natural colour.
What is high mocha toasting? Ardbeg removed the heads from its ex bourbon casks and scored them deeply to expose more wood, then toasted and charred them intensely using infrared and open flame to a specification it calls high mocha. More exposed timber at a heavier char changes what the whisky draws from the wood.
Was there a general release version? No. Unlike some Ardbeg limited editions, Anamorphic was a Committee exclusive sold online to members, with a small allocation at the distillery. There is no wider release at a different strength.
Is it flavoured? No. All of its character comes from the cask treatment and the spirit. Nothing has been added.
Should I add water? Yes, after tasting it neat. Water is unusually transformative here, opening a wide range of herbal and floral notes that are not apparent at full strength.
Where can I buy Ardbeg Anamorphic online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
