Ardbeg has announced Ardbeg Dolce, a new limited-edition release created for Ardbeg Day 2026, combining Marsala dolce cask maturation with the distillery’s signature Islay peat.
Held annually during Fèis Ìle, Ardbeg Day will take place on 30 May, with this year’s release drawing inspiration from Italian “la dolce vita” culture. The whisky brings together spirit matured in Marsala dolce casks—the sweetest style of Sicily’s fortified wine—with classic bourbon cask-matured Ardbeg.
This combination amplifies Ardbeg’s so-called “peaty paradox”, where sweet and smoky elements are layered to create a more complex profile. The Marsala casks introduce richer fruit and confectionery notes, while the bourbon casks retain the distillery’s coastal, smoky character.
According to Gillian Macdonald, the whisky delivers a balance of apricot, marmalade and dark chocolate, alongside salty smoke and roasted nut notes, reflecting the interplay between Mediterranean sweetness and Islay peat.
Tasting profile:
Nose: Sun-ripened orange, apricot, soft sweetness
Palate: Dark chocolate, olive notes, roasted nuts, peat smoke
Finish: Salty smoke, gentle sweetness, lingering spice
Ardbeg Dolce will be available globally via specialist retailers, Ardbeg Embassies and the distillery visitor centre. Members of the Ardbeg Committee will gain early access from 26 May, ahead of the general release on 30 May, with an RRP of £85.
