Ardbeg Distillery Appoints Its First Female Distillery Manager In Modern Era

Ardbeg’s loyal fanbase – the Committee – have been crying out for a cask-strength edition of the smoky icon Ardbeg Ten for more than 20 years. Today the Islay Distillery grants them their wish, by unveiling a momentous, cask-strength edition of its classic 10-year-old single malt. Matured in hand-selected casks, uniquely filled with spirit at an unusually high strength, this bottling brings an unrivalled 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 Islay malt whiskies. Its flagship Ten has long been revered by Committee members 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.

In answer to the Committee’s plea, Ardbeg’s whisky creators, led by Dr Bill Lumsden, vowed to create a historic edition of this classic malt in its members’ honour. So, they hand-selected a few choice American oak bourbon casks, including some experimental barrels unusually filled with undiluted spirit. The result is an Ardbeg of incredible intensity. Bursting with rich aromas of tar and sea spray and smooth, sweet tastes, this rare edition of Ten is bottled at 61.7% ABV – the highest strength of any Committee Release to date.

Fittingly, 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.

Gillian 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!”

Bryony 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 at Ardbeg.com from 24th February 2026, RRP £75.

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, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at www.ardbeg.com/committee. Membership is free and all Ardbeg fans are welcome.