Ardbeg has responded to requests from its loyal fanbase for a cask-strength edition of its smoky icon Ardbeg Ten.

The new release from the Islay distillery has been matured in hand-selected casks, uniquely filled with spirit at an unusually high strength. The bottling brings an additional intensity to Ardbeg’s classic, peaty taste with a naturally elevated ABV.

Crafted on the remote Scottish island of Islay for more than 200 years, Ardbeg is one of the world’s smokiest, peatiest malt whiskies.

Its flagship Ten has long been revered by fans – known as the Ardbeg Committee – as the ultimate expression of the distillery’s smoky style. And a cask-strength edition has topped their most-wanted list, since a highly limited (and even more highly coveted) release was shared in Japan in 2003.

Ardbeg’s whisky creators, led by Dr Bill Lumsden, have create a historic edition of this classic malt in the Committee members’ honour. They hand-selected a few choice American oak bourbon casks, including some experimental barrels unusually filled with undiluted spirit.

The result is an Ardbeg with rich aromas of tar and sea spray and smooth, sweet tastes, bottled at 61.7% ABV – the highest strength of any Committee Release to date.

This milestone whisky is the first Committee edition unveiled during the tenure of new Co-Chairs, Master Blender Gillian MacDonald and Distillery Manager Bryony McNiven.

MacDonald said: “This cask-strength Ardbeg Ten is a momentous celebration of our Distillery’s classic style. Created by Dr Bill and myself from casks filled with new- make spirit at a higher-than-usual strength, it has all the flavours Committee members know and love, infused with a new intensity.

“Those who are lucky enough to lay their hands on a bottle will find aromas of toffee, tar, with classic notes of fennel and sea
spray, and sweet sooty tastes of peat moss, malt and smoked cinnamon – amplified in an unforgettable dram. Slàinte to our Committee!”

McNiven said: “Ardbeg Ten Cask Strength is arguably one of the most wanted Ardbegs ever. It’s fantastic to finally be sharing it with the Committee. What a dram – a perfect balance of wood smoke, citrus sweetness and salt.”

Released especially for members of the Ardbeg Committee, this cask-strength edition of Ardbeg Ten will be available online and in Committee Embassies around the world from 24 February 2026.

Participating Australian venues are:

• Silvers Motel – Newtown, NSW
• Whisky & Aliment – Melbourne, VIC
• The Gresham – Brisbane, QLD
• Foxtrot Unicorn – Perth, WA
• Malt & Juniper – Adelaide, SA

For those intrepid enough to venture to the distillery, there will be a small number of bottles ready to buy in person. For more news on all things Ardbeg, fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at www.ardbeg.com/committee. Membership is free and all Ardbeg fans are welcome.