Ardbeg distillery visit

A rainy morning in march, we stood at the door step of Ardbeg distillery. This was our first distillery visit, of several on this trip to Islay. Distillery visits were actually the purpose of the vacation.
Here we learned our first lesson regarding distillery visits: Allways check the distillery’s own webpage for tour hours, cause we missed those with a mile.
We took a taxi from Bowmore and as we were leaving the car he started to ask when to pick us up for the ride to Lagavulin and Laphroigh, and then cut himself short saying something like: “I forgot that you were Norwegians, you’ll probably want to walk between the distillerys.” As opposed to Americans who: “Don’t walk, even if they have to.”

The tour

After a wait, we were ready for our tour. This is the standard offering and nothing more, if there is an offer that includes more than this, it isn’t stated anywhere.
The guide seemed both knowledgable and enthusiastic enough about the whisky and brand, and the tour was pleasant enough. We shared the tour with three germans who seemed to enjoy it as much as we did.
After the trip we got a dram or two in the visitor centre, with a free choise from any of the great range of Ardbeg.

The visitor centre

is very nice. Contemporary looking, and stylish. There is also a restaurant there wich seemed popular with the locals, wich is allways a good sign. We did’t have time to eat, so I really can’t say anything about the food.

The shop

This is where Ardbeg stands out in comparison to several others. Someone has put effort into this range. They have their own tasting glasses instead of the standard Glencairn offering. This is nice I think, but it also messes with my collection of Glencairn glasses from the distilleries I’ve visited.
Aside from that there is also some nice clothing, my friend John bought the hooded jacket, and I really wanted the cufflinks, but they were sold out. Clumsy.

Overall verdict

Not much more than the standard offering, and if you know a still from a mash tun, you might as well pass. I missed a bar, to sit down and enjoy a dram or two.
The centre and the shop are nice though.

The last personal twist

While visiting, I saw a bloke around the premises wich seemed strangly familiar, and just before leaving he was there again. So, I asked, where have I seen you before. He didn’t know either, but we sorted it out anyway. It turned out to be Michael "Mickey" Heads himself, distillery manager for those not in the know. And we met at the Whisky festival here in Oslo the year before. We met again this year,by the way.
Until next time. SKÅL