ARDBEG 12 ans 1975 Connoisseurs Choice Old Map Label Gordon & Macphail

Renowned for its powerful peat smoke and distinctive medicinal character, ARDBEG is one of Islay’s most celebrated single malt distilleries. Its robust spirit combines smoky intensity with maritime influences and characteristic notes of liquorice, creating a style that is both rustic and remarkably expressive.
Distilled in 1975, this 12-year-old Ardbeg was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in the late 1980s, during a period when the distillery was closed between 1981 and 1989. At a time when independent bottlers played a crucial role in keeping Ardbeg available to whisky enthusiasts, Gordon & MacPhail’s Connoisseurs Choice series offered a rare glimpse into the distillery’s historic character.
This Old Map Label bottling delivers an intensely peated profile, with layers of camphor, eucalyptus, mint and liquorice alongside burnt wood, cold ash, smoky bacon and barbecue notes. Beneath the smoke, citrus, maritime saltiness and hints of pear tart bring additional dimensions, while the finish returns to the raw, evocative character of peat drying over a traditional kiln.