Lot 219 - Ardbeg Drum 2019 Limited Edition

Auction Ended: Tuesday 20 April, 2021

Winning Bid: £145.00

Estimate: £125 - £150
You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest is blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997. Drum was the Ardbeg Day 2019 limited edition, launched at the annual Feis Ile festival that year. Drum is a an ex-bourbon cask matured Ardbeg which has been finished in ex-rum casks from "the Americas." The flavours are intended to evoke the "rumbustious revelry" that the distillery believe goes hand in hand with Ardbeg Day. The bottle is peppered with additional small labels which feature tasting notes, including "ripe banana," "briny notes, and "pineapple."

Presentation: 46%, 70cl
Vintage: 2019 Release