The Ardbeg Committee has marked this year’s Ardbeg Day with a memorable celebration at Sydney’s Silver’s Motel.

Ardbeg Day is an annual commemoration of Islay’s peatiest single malt scotch, taking place each year on the final day of the Fèis Ìle (Islay Festival). Each year, the distillery produces a limited release whisky for Ardbeg Day. This year’s creation—Dolce—offers a dramatic fusion of Sicilian sweetness and smoky peat.

Silver’s Motel was the perfect setting for the Australian festivities. The team behind cult bar PS40 opened the atmospheric bar on Enmore Road last year. Its decor is inspired by 80s motel bars, with around 350 whiskies on the menu.

As we entered the bar, an Italian duo perfectly set the la Dolce vita scene, singing classic songs with an accordion accompaniment.

The event was hosted by Ardbeg’s Head of Distilling & Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, who took attendees through an entertaining side-by-side tasting of Ardbeg 10 Year Old alongside Dolce.

Dolce brings together rare malt matured in Marsala dolce casks, the sweetest style of Sicily’s fortified wine, balanced by classic bourbon cask-matured Ardbeg whisky. The resulting liquid has sweet notes of apricot, marmalade and dark chocolate, together with salty, smoky flavours and roasted nutty tones. 

It tastes every bit as good as it sounds, not just on its own, but also in cocktails. The team at Silver’s Motel served the spirit in a delicious Dolce Spritz, featuring Dolce, Amaretto Italiano, apple, ginger and fizz.

Ardbeg Dolce is available exclusively through The Whisky Club. The limited-edition release can be purchased at thewhiskyclub.com.au.