The Ardbeg recently launched their latest Committee-only limited edition, Ardbeg Fermutation. And it is out of this world!
The 13-year-old expression is the consequence of an unplanned experiment that resulted in the longest fermentation in Ardbeg’s history.
In November 2007, The Ardbeg Distillery was about to face one of its greatest challenges. A broken boiler threatened the existence of six washbacks full of liquid. The team tried everything they could to get the boiler going. Ever the optimist, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden saw this conundrum as an opportunity to experiment.
He instructed the Distillery team to throw open the washback lids and expose the contents to the Islay air. Thus began a three week-long fermentation, which eventually gave rise to a wild, zingy and vibrant spirit.
“I’ve always wanted to experiment with longer fermentations, so I think an unintentional boiler breakdown was the best thing that could have happened,” said Dr Bill Lumsden. “For context, most Ardbeg is only fermented for 72 hours, making three weeks unchartered territory for us.”
“Blind luck is sometimes just part of the way we do things here at Ardbeg,” added Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager. “But the creation of Fermutation wasn’t simply good fortune. Quick thinking, ingenuity and a little assistance from tiny beings in the atmosphere helped us get here. At 13 years old, this is of course an aged Ardbeg – something I’m sure our fans will be delighted to get their hands on.”
As a Committee-only bottling, Ardbeg Fermutation is only available to members of The Ardbeg Committee for $199.99.
