Ardbeg Dark Cove Harks Back to Clandestine Smuggling On Islay

Ardbeg’s island home on Islay holds a shadowy past. Centuries ago, under cover of night, the early distillers smuggled whisky from Ardbeg Cove to black-painted ships anchored just offshore. From there, the contraband spirits were spirited away to the Scottish mainland. The trade became so rampant that Customs authorities stationed a dedicated cutter near Islay in hopes of intercepting the smugglers. Even after John McDougall secured a legal license to distil whisky at Ardbeg, the illicit trade continued unabated. Excise officers, frustrated and outmatched, could do little to stop the determined islanders. Eventually, the smuggling faded out by the late 19th century.

In tribute to this rebellious legacy, Ardbeg transformed their traditional Ardbeg Day into **Ardbeg Night**, inviting fans across the globe to gather in the shadows and celebrate the distillery’s storied history. At the heart of this year’s festivities was the launch of Dark Cove, a limited edition bottling that evokes the spirit of those smuggling days with its rich, brooding character. The whisky is crafted from a combination of Ardbeg matured in bourbon casks and sherry cask-matured spirit, bottled at 46.5% ABV and non-chill filtered for a bold, full texture.

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Ardbeg Dark Cove

Appearance: Deep amber with glints of copper and red; slow, oily legs.

Aroma: A bold and complex nose opens with earthy, spicy, and meaty notes. Waves of dark chocolate follow, alongside orange zest, treacle toffee, roasted coffee and seasoned oak. A smoky backdrop lingers with a fleeting floral whisper.

Palate: A tart and textured mouthfeel delivers layers of dried fruit raisins and dates mingled with warming ginger and pepper. Heavier, darker elements rise through: smouldering charcoal, wood polish, creosote, smoked ham and even squid ink noodles.

Finish: Long and rich, the finish brims with notes of toffee, coffee and a tarry smokiness that slowly fades into the deep.