Blaaack marked twenty years of the Ardbeg Committee, released in 2020, and it is the most visually distinctive bottle the distillery has produced. Where essentially every Ardbeg arrives in green glass, this one is opaque black, which makes it immediately identifiable on a shelf and is a large part of why collectors sought it out. The whisky inside is unusual too. Ardbeg matured it in Pinot Noir wine casks from New Zealand, which is a genuinely uncommon choice for a heavily peated Islay malt. Pinot Noir is a lighter bodied red than the Cabernet or Syrah wood that occasionally appears in whisky finishing, and it contributes red fruit, a soft floral perfume and a fine grained tannin rather than heavy dark fruit weight. Set against Ardbeg's peat, the effect is a whisky that runs sweeter and fruitier than expected while keeping the smoke firmly in place. The New Zealand connection is also where the name comes from, a nod to that country's sheep, and the packaging leans into the joke without apology. Bottled at 46 percent alcohol by volume, non chill filtered and at natural colour, so nothing has been stripped out or corrected. This was a one time anniversary release for the Committee's twentieth year and it has not been repeated. Note that a separate Committee Release of Blaaack exists at higher strength, so check the figure on the label. Drink it neat and give it air, then add a few drops of water to bring the red fruit forward.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
46% |
| Proof |
92 |
| Size |
700ml (70cl) |
| Country |
Scotland |
| Region |
Islay |
| Category |
Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Expression |
Blaaack, Committee 20th Anniversary Limited Edition |
| Release Year |
2020 |
| Occasion |
20 Years of the Ardbeg Committee, 2000 to 2020 |
| Maturation |
New Zealand Pinot Noir wine casks |
| Age |
No age statement |
| Filtration |
Non chill filtered |
| Colour |
Natural, no added colouring |
| Presentation |
Opaque black glass bottle |
| Distillery |
Ardbeg Distillery Limited, established 1815 |
Tasting Notes
Color: Warm gold with a red tinge from the Pinot Noir wood, natural and uncoloured.
Nose: Red berry fruit and a soft floral lift over peat smoke, with vanilla, cherry and a faint herbal note behind.
Palate: Sweeter and fruitier than expected, with red fruit and cherry set against firm peat smoke, dark chocolate and a fine grained tannic grip.
Finish: Long and layered, closing on smoke, red fruit sweetness and a dry lingering ash.
FAQ
What proof is this bottle? It is bottled at 92 proof, or 46 percent alcohol by volume, non chill filtered. A separate Committee Release of Blaaack exists at a higher strength, so check the figure on the label.
Why is the bottle black? Blaaack is the only Ardbeg released in opaque black glass rather than the distillery's usual green. It was made that way for the Committee's twentieth anniversary and is instantly recognisable because of it.
What casks was it matured in? Pinot Noir wine casks from New Zealand, which is an unusual choice for a peated Islay malt. Pinot Noir contributes red fruit, a floral lift and fine tannin rather than heavy dark fruit.
Where does the name come from? It is a play on the black bottle and on New Zealand's sheep, referencing the origin of the wine casks.
Is it flavoured? No. The red fruit character comes entirely from the wine casks the whisky rested in. Nothing has been added.
Where can I buy Ardbeg Blaaack online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
