Ardbeg Islay single malt whisky has unveiled the second release in its Anthology Collection. Ardbeg Anthology: The Unicorn’s Tale is Ardbeg’s first whisky matured in a marriage of Madeira wine casks and bourbon casks.

Aged 14 years, this expression blends tropical sweetness of whisky aged in Madeira casks with Ardbeg’s trademark zesty, smoky notes, the distillery reports. resulting in a fruity, aromatic, smoky creation.

“At Ardbeg we love experimenting with how we can push our spirit’s smoky balance into new worlds of flavor,” says Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s director of whisky creation. “Some time ago, we decided to try maturing Ardbeg in unusual cask types for the distillery to create sweet and smoky ‘hybrids ’ — and so the Anthology Collection was born.’ Some time ago, we decided to try maturing Ardbeg in unusual cask types for the distillery to create sweet and smoky ‘hybrids’– and so the Anthology Collection was born.

“The outcome is a whisky bursting with notes of banana bread and tropical fruit fused with Ardbeg’s hallmark flavors of camphor, lime zest and wood smoke,” Lumsden adds. “This 14-year-old whisky may appear sweet in nature, but its smoky side is not to be underestimated!”

With an ABV of 46%, Ardbeg Anthology: The Unicorn’s Tale will be available for purchase on ReserveBar.com and at select wine and spirits retailers in the U.S. for a suggested retail price of $159.99 per 750-ml. bottle.

This follows Ardbeg Anthology’s inaugural release, The Harpy’s Tale, which marries classic Ardbeg with the distillery’s first whisky aged in Sauternes sweet white wine casks.

In homage to these whiskies’ outlandish “hybrid” style, each malt’s name and packaging are inspired by a different mythological creature from the history of Islay.

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