The Lowland region of Scotland makes the Campbeltown region look crowded with distilleries. While encompassing a large area on the map, this region is only home to a few operating distilleries. This may be due to a large portion of the population being located in the south and thus not suitable for distilleries, as they need rather pure ingredients. That being said, the few distilleries that are there are doing well and making an effort in the market. Auchentoshan in particular has garnered positive reviews and offers a respectable stable of offerings, both in their regular and special editions. Their main range has a respectable 12, 18 and 21 year old, plus a triple wood and this American Oak, aged in first-fill American bourbon oak casks. We reviewed the Auchentoshan Classic but felt this distillery deserved more attention.
Ardbeg Ardbog
One of Ardbeg’s annual Committee releases, the Ardbog was put out as a limited edition of 3000 bottles during the Islay Festival, celebrated by a worldwide Ardbog Day on June 1, 2013, before being sold more widely for a limited time. It’s name connotes the peat bogs scattered across Islay. The Ardbeg Ardbog is and remains to this day, for some of us here at Scotchology, a quintessential unicorn dram.