Ardbeg and water charity Brewgooder have been working on a project that sees the Islay single malt brand branch out in to the world of beer. The Shortie Smoky Porter, named after Ardbeg's beloved mascot, is the distillery's first ever beer and has been made in limited quantities to support Brewgooder's Global Gathering campaign. All profits will be donated to support clean water projects in Malawi run by Brewgooder.
The one-off beer, which is exclusive to the UK, has been made by William Brothers Brewing Co. and uses the same peated malt used for whisky production at Ardbeg. The Shortie Smoky Porter was announced in conjuction with the World Water Day weekend back in March. The beer is released at 6.2% ABV and will cost £14 for a pack of four cans.
The Ardbeg distillery is located on the southern coast of Islay and was founded in 1815 by John MacDougall. The recent history shows no production for large parts of the mid-1980s and 1990s, plus the majority of 1996 and 1997. Moet Hennessy took over at that point and renovated and revitalised Ardbeg's fortunes. The distillery has an annual production of just over one million litres per year, although this is currently being expanded, and boasts an award-winning visitor centre and cafe.
Ardbeg 'The Shortie' Smoky Porter will be available shortly from the Ardbeg distillery shop or via www.ardbeg.com and then via UK Ardbeg Embassies and other selected retailers, stocks permitting.
Our tasting notes
The colour is deep brown, almost black, and the nose has a full on aroma. This is a combination of ashy and earthy peat smoke with bittersweet malted cereals. It is reminiscent of standing in a floor malting room at an Islay distillery or sniffing a handful of peated malt. Sweet, smoky and a touch funky. Underneath is sweetness - treacle, molasses and some chocolate.
On the palate this beer follows a similar path - big and bold earthy peat smoke upfront that is quickly joined by sweet and malty cereal notes. This turns a little more savoury with a hint of bitterness as time progresses. Again, the memories of standing in a floor malting room on Islay are strong, or even near a kiln that is peating barley. The decent ABV drives the flavours on and the peaty maltiness is supported by further big and bold flavours - think of black treacle, molasses and dark chocolate with later notes of rich espresso coffee and toasted walnuts adding further depth.
The finish is long and earthy with the rich and sweet characteristics slowly fading. This leaves the bitterness from the malt and a drying peat smoke to battle for your attention. This drives you to take another sip. And another ...
Matt reviews the beer as part of our Allotment Dram series below. If you enjoy the video, then please subscribe to our Youtube channel.
1 comment:
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