Ardbeg Vintage Y2K 23 Year Old


Ardbeg has introduced its inaugural vintage of the millennium—the exceptional Ardbeg Vintage Y2K 23 Year Old, set to launch in July. This distinguished whisky is crafted from the first batches of Ardbeg spirit distilled in the new millennium, matured in a blend of bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks.

Ardbeg Vintage Y2K 23 Year Old marks a significant milestone for the distillery, celebrated for its intense sweetness and classic peatiness. As global Noughties nostalgia sweeps in, Ardbeg invites enthusiasts of smoky malt to indulge in a journey back to a momentous era in its history.

Amidst the iconic memories of bootcut jeans, flip phones, and Y2K concerns, Ardbeg’s story unfolds differently. Rescued from near extinction by The Glenmorangie Company in 1997, the distillery underwent meticulous restoration. As the new millennium dawned, Ardbeg resumed full production while other distilleries shuttered in fear.

Distilled from the earliest millennium batches, the Ardbeg Vintage Y2K series debut stands out. Crafted in the historic still that served faithfully for 51 years, this whisky underwent meticulous cask selection, resting in premier bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks.

The result is a single malt teeming with vibrant citrus nuances and profoundly sweet, smoky flavors—a one-of-a-kind expression never to be replicated. Aromas of lemon balsam mingle with linseed oil and heather honey, while the palate reveals soot, peppermint, and coffee notes reminiscent of freshly ground coffee and aniseed.

Simultaneously, another significant chapter unfolded at Ardbeg in February 2000—the inception of the Ardbeg Committee, now an institution boasting over 180,000 members across 130 countries.

(Photo: Ardbed.com)

Dr. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg Master Distiller, describes Ardbeg Vintage Y2K as a “phenomenal souvenir” of that pivotal year, exuding herbal, citrusy sweetness with sooty, peppermint, and coffee undertones.

Committee Chair and Distillery Visitor Centre Manager Jackie Thomson reminisces on the milestone year, inviting Ardbeg enthusiasts to relive the era of Ardbeg Vintage Y2K.

Ardbeg Y2K is bottled at 46% ABV and comes with a price tag reflecting its rarity—£670. Available for purchase in the UK and on Ardbeg.com starting July, enthusiasts can register their interest from May 7th on Ardbeg.com.