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Ardbeg 17 years

fresh malty
4.6
(2)€144Scotland, Islay, Single Malt

Flavours

Whisky character

Fresh
Warm
Mild
Full
Smooth
Spicy

Taste mentions

Facts

Ardbeg 17 years first appeared in 1997, just after Ardbeg distillery reopened. It quickly became a quiet legend among early Committee members. When it retired in 2004, many thought that chapter had closed for good. This return was built to echo the original profile, including its gentle 40% bottling strength. The style feels softer than many modern Ardbeg releases, yet it still carries that unmistakable Islay heartbeat. You get earthy smoke, medicinal edges, vanilla sweetness, and a thread of toasted marshmallow. It feels like meeting old Ardbeg stories in a glass, told with calm confidence.

Compare prices

Compare prices by shop
ShopType Price
Master of Malt
Master of Malt
700ml
£143.95 (€174.18)
The Whisky Exchange
The Whisky Exchange
700ml
£160 (€193.60)
700ml
£650 (€786.50)

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About the distillery

Distillery

Ardbeg

Ardbeg distillery is located on the southern coast of the Isle of Islay, Scotland. It was founded in 1815 and has been producing some of the world's most highly regarded Islay single malt whiskies ever since. Ardbeg uses traditional malted barley, Scottish water, and peat to produce its signature smoky and peaty flavors. The distillery uses malted barley that is heavily peated to around 55 parts per million (ppm) phenols, which gives its whiskies a distinct and powerful flavor. Interesting fact: In 2011, Ardbeg sent vials of its whisky to the International Space Station to study the effects of microgravity

4.2Average rating

128Whiskies on Distilld

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Islay

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About the Ardbeg 17 years

Ardbeg 17 years is a single malt Scotch whisky from Islay, Scotland, made at Ardbeg distillery. In Scotland's peated tradition, it stands apart for a calmer, older-school profile and steady 40% strength. The 17 year old age statement signals maturity, but the style stays direct and readable. Ardbeg 17 years speaks clearly to drinkers who want smoke with measured weight. Ardbeg 17 years first appeared in 1997, soon after Ardbeg distillery reopened its doors. It was one of the first bottlings from that restart, and it quickly built a loyal following. When it retired in 2004, many Ardbeg followers treated it like a closed chapter. The current release was crafted by Dr Bill Lumsden to mirror that original profile. The nose opens with barley sweetness, then earthy notes, medicinal touches, and a quiet line of smoke. On the palate, vanilla and chocolate soften the peat, while malty depth keeps it grounded. A resin edge and light vegetative character bring structure instead of simple sweetness. Toasted marshmallow and dry wood notes arrive later, with gentle tar lingering through the finish. This profile makes Ardbeg 17 years distinctive within the wider Ardbeg range in today's heavily peated market. It delivers unmistakable Islay character, yet it avoids the heavier impact of many modern peated malts. The lower bottling strength helps the texture stay delicate, precise, and calm without ever feeling thin. Drink Ardbeg 17 years neat to follow its layered shift from sweet barley to drying smoke. For long-time fans, it reconnects a formative Ardbeg era with today's shelves and current conversation. For newer drinkers, it offers a clear route into Ardbeg history without losing real flavour detail.