Ardbeg Drum Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review

let’s begin

Inspired by the Caribbean, Ardbeg Drum joins a big family of malts released to celebrate Ardbeg Day.

an annual event

Ardbeg Day rocks around on June 2^nd every year and is welcomed with the release of a new and exciting malt from the Islay distillery. Ardbeg Drum is another excellent addition to the Ardbeg family.

It all started in 2014, with the release of Auriverdes, to mark the World Cup being held in Brazil.

Following that, some of the most innovative and exciting malts from Ardbeg have been produced to mark the passing of Ardbeg Day.

This is a day that falls on the day after the last day of the Islay Festival, which sees Whisky lovers from all over the world congregate on Islay to enjoy the peaty drams made there.

The distillery has marked some of really exciting history with Ardbeg Day, including their 200^th Birthday in 2015 and a throw back to the 1960s in 2018.

Caribbean Twist

This year’s malt is truly something special.

Ardbeg have always been at the forefront of innovation, especially with releases like Ardbeg Supernova, which celebrates the time that the distillery sent Whisky into space, and An Oa, which is an exploration in vatting.

With Ardbeg Drum, the distillery has embraced the spicy flavours of the Caribbean by resting their malt in Rum casks. The mix of fruity and exotic flavours with the heavily peated tones of Ardbeg is a match made in heaven.

It has been made especially with the procession that takes place on Islay on the final day of the Festival. This is when crowds will gather to watch colourful floats parade across the island and eventually line up to be judged.

Drum is said to capture the life and colour of the festival and celebrate the Caribbean spirit it has been inspired by.

Ardbeg Drum Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review

Ardbeg Drum is a really interesting malt and certainly should be celebrated itself.

It has been matured in ex-Bourbon casks before being rested in ex-Rum casks, to allow the sweet and spicy notes to develop.

Tasting notes for Ardbeg Drum Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The nose opens with bit seaside notes of salt spray, brine and damp wood. So fr, so Ardbeg.

Alongside this comes a wonderful note of pine resin that is slightly herby and a little bit spicy. Softer floral notes dance around it but never fully commit.

The palate is on another level, packed with floral and herby flavours. There is a delicate note of lavender and heather that makes this dram come to life.

These flavours melt into the smoky notes and complement the peat perfectly. The earthy qualities of the smoke are set off excellently with the floral notes.

Pineapple, mango an exotic fruits add a delicious sweetness overall. They are fresh and juicy, adding a brilliant foil to the thickness of the smoke.

The finish is pungent with smoke but lifted by the sweet fruity notes and a hint of florals.

There is simply nothing better to enjoy on Ardbeg Day, and with a flavour profile like Ardbeg Drum, any other day for that matter.

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below and let’s have a chat!

Tags: Ardbeg DistilleryArdbeg DrumArdbeg Drum Single MaltSingle Malt

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.