Anthology is Ardbeg's age stated collection, and The Unicorn's Tale is its opening chapter. It sits apart from the distillery's better known annual Ardbeg Day and Committee releases, which almost never carry an age statement, and that alone makes it worth attention: this is fourteen year old Ardbeg, described on the label as very rare. The maturation is a marriage of two cask types working in different directions. Classic Ardbeg ex bourbon casks provide the familiar backbone of vanilla, soft barley and the distillery's signature peat, while aromatic Madeira casks contribute something rather less expected. Madeira is a fortified wine matured under deliberate heat, and casks that have held it bring dried fruit, a faint nuttiness and a distinctive perfumed lift rather than the heavy dried fruit weight of sherry. Against fourteen years of Islay peat, that lift is what gives the whisky its character. The distillery's own account is precise: powerful smoke and zesty notes of lime canter across the palate, with soft barley and burning cedarwood lurking in the distance, while menthol, clove and camphor come together in a whimsically smoky finish. That camphor and menthol combination is unusual and genuinely present. Bottled at 46 percent alcohol by volume, non chill filtered, so nothing has been stripped out. The presentation matches the storytelling, with a gold horseshoe patterned capsule and an illustrated carton depicting the rearing unicorn of the name. Drink it neat and unhurried, with a few drops of water if you want the herbal notes to open further.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
46% |
| Proof |
92 |
| Size |
700ml (70cl) |
| Country |
Scotland |
| Region |
Islay |
| Category |
Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Expression |
Anthology, The Unicorn's Tale |
| Age |
14 years |
| Maturation |
Marriage of aromatic Madeira casks and classic Ardbeg ex bourbon casks |
| Filtration |
Non chill filtered |
| Colour |
Natural, no added colouring |
| Distillery |
Ardbeg Distillery Limited, established 1815 |
Tasting Notes
Color: Warm gold with amber depth from fourteen years and Madeira cask influence.
Nose: Aromatic and layered, with peat smoke over soft barley, dried fruit sweetness and a perfumed lift from the Madeira wood.
Palate: Powerful smoke and zesty lime canter across the palate, with soft barley and burning cedarwood lurking in the distance.
Finish: Whimsically smoky, with menthol, clove and camphor coming together and holding at length.
FAQ
What proof is Ardbeg Anthology The Unicorn's Tale? It is bottled at 92 proof, or 46 percent alcohol by volume, non chill filtered.
How old is it? Fourteen years, stated on the label. That is unusual for Ardbeg's limited releases, most of which carry no age statement at all.
What is the Anthology series? Ardbeg's age stated collection, distinct from its annual Ardbeg Day and Committee releases. The Unicorn's Tale is the first chapter.
What do Madeira casks contribute? Madeira is a fortified wine matured under deliberate heat, and casks that held it bring dried fruit, light nuttiness and a distinctive perfumed lift, quite different from the heavier dried fruit character of sherry wood.
Is it flavoured? No. All of its character comes from the spirit and the two cask types it matured in. Nothing has been added.
Where can I buy Ardbeg Anthology The Unicorn's Tale online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
