At the meeting point of Atlantic winds and the Islay moor, Ardbeg An Oa 46,6% stands as an ode to balance. Designed for those who appreciate the depth of peat without giving up roundness, this single malt cultivates a harmonious, broad and luminous expression. The smoky power becomes velvety, the salt melts into a caress of caramel and ripe fruit, and the spicy thread unfolds with tact. Dedicated to the imposing Oa headland, whose cliffs watch over the distillery, it carries the echo of winds, spray and peat without ever tipping into excess. Here is the answer to a demanding quest: reconciling intensity and welcoming sweetness, for a tasting moment that invites contemplation. Not chill-filtered, it preserves a generous creaminess and an intact aromatic architecture, the signature of an emblematic Islay house. A single malt for the informed enthusiast as well as the curious aesthete, elegant in bearing, impeccable on the palate, and inspiringly persistent.

Assemblage et vinification

The identity of An Oa is born from a patient conception, where the richness of the casks shapes the complexity of the profile. A portion of the maturation in Pedro Ximénez casks brings creaminess, date nuances and praline lift. The charred virgin oak casks provide a spicy framework, both woody and vibrant, which underscores the mouthfeel’s energy. Finally, the ex-bourbon casks lend precision, flashes of vanilla, fleeting citrus and structural intensity. The blending is conducted with mastery to achieve a rounded peat expression without sweetening it. Bottled at 46,6%, and above all non-chill filtered, it preserves a creamy texture and an aromatic halo, promising a broad and luminous palate. From an official bottling and presented in a box, An Oa affirms a know-how where peat fire links to softer notes with a grand manner.

Notes de dégustation

• Colour : Bright and clear, with fine clarity, it announces a dense substance that coats the glass and prepares for the aromatic development.
• Nose : Straightforward smoke and marine salinity, peat oil punctuated by white pepper. A breath of caramel and anise weaves with hints of dates, peach and banana, for an impression both wild and refined.
• Palate : Smooth, creamy texture, a fine balance between weight and freshness. Broad peat joins a mingled sweetness of spices, before a persistent, smoky, saline finish with good grip.

Température de service et conseils

Serve An Oa slightly below room temperature, in a tulip glass, to concentrate the bouquet without stifling it. Allow a few minutes of rest so the peat softens and the sweetness emerges. A few drops of water can widen the aromatic range, highlighting dried fruit and gentle spice notes, while serving without ice preserves the natural creaminess. Store the bottle upright, away from light and temperature fluctuations. Once opened, make sure to reseal tightly to preserve the profile, which maintains its elegance over time. An Oa is enjoyed as well in quiet reflection as in conversation, according to your pace.

Accords mets et vin

• Briny starters : oysters, grilled razor clams, artisan taramasalata, to emphasise the marine lift and salinity.
• Smoked fish : smoked salmon or trout with lemon butter, which converse with the peat and caramel veil.
• Grilled meats : herb-roasted lamb, braised shoulder, whose juiciness answers the spicy structure.
• Bold cheeses : creamy blue, aged cheddar, where salinity and smoke pair nobly.
• Cocoa-rich treats : dark chocolate with high cocoa content, candied citrus peels, for a caressing finish.

Moments de dégustation

Ardbeg An Oa invites itself into those precious pauses where you want to marry intensity and softness, leaving the bustle for an Islay evocation in the glass.

• For a contemplative after-dinner, in low voices, when the peat becomes a whisper.
• During a gourmet evening where salinity and smoke highlight top-flight pairings.
• As a gift for an enthusiast, the signature of a safe, personal and inspiring choice.

Caractéristiques

• Name : Ardbeg An Oa 46,6%
• Origin : Islay, Scotland
• Type : Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Profile : peaty, smoky, creamy, saline and spicy
• Cask blend : Pedro Ximénez, charred virgin oak, ex-bourbon
• Alcohol by volume : 46,6%
• Filtration : non-chill filtered
• Bottling : official
• Presentation : box included
• Inspiration : tribute to the cliffs of Oa