Ardbeg

Ardbeg The Stories of Wind & Wave 18 Year Old, Bourbon Cask, Cask #257, 2001, The Character of Islay Whisky Company, 54.5%

4.5/5Expert Rating

Catalog product detail, market evidence, tasting notes, reviews, and collection actions.

TypeSingle Malt Whisky
MRI
MRI 40
Average Score
Avg 89
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Description

A distillery located on the south coast of the Isle of Islay. It is currently part of the Scotch whisky holdings of LVMH. Despite being closed twice in the latter 20th century, the distillery's heavily-peated single malt has always been highly-regarded. This is an independent bottling by The Character of Islay Whisky Company, part of Atom Brands, as part of their Stories of Wind & Wave range. It was distilled in 2001 and matured for 18 years in a refill bourbon barrel.

Overall Rating
87/100
Great87 / 100

Based on 5 Maltiply reviews.

Maltiply Tasting Profile
Nose
Intense peat smoke and tar aromas, hints of ashes and camphor, coastal notes of seaweeds and seashells, zesty notes of lemon, hessian-like earthiness.
Palate
Smoky and peaty flavours, hints of vanilla and subtle sweetness, citric notes, pepper and spices, bonfire note, smoked fish and a touch of seaweed, medicinal and herbal notes.
Finish
Warm and peaty, lingering smoky quality, prominent herbal notes, refreshing lemon zest note, camphor.

Reviews

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softshoe_notebook avatarsoftshoe_notebook25 Sept
84 / 100

the herbal and medicinal notes, with a bit of lemon, give this more than just peat to talk about. still, the intense smoke and tar sound like they would take the lead, so it may be a lot if you want something gentler.

Nose: Intense peat smoke and tar, Lemon, seaweed and earthy notesPalate: Smoky and peaty, Medicinal and herbal notes, with vanilla, citrus and pepperFinish: Warm, peaty and smoky, Herbal notes, lemon zest and camphor
Ddaybreak compass7 Jul
88 / 100

Peat smoke leads; lemon lifts.

Nose: Intense peat smoke and tar, Lemon zest and coastal notesPalate: Smoky and peaty, Vanilla, citrus, pepper and smoked fishFinish: Warm, lingering smoke, Herbal notes and lemon zest
HHoneycombCloud11 May
87 / 100

This is a peat-led single malt with a strong coastal character. The nose combines intense smoke and tar with seaweed and seashell notes, while lemon provides a contrasting citrus note. On the palate, vanilla and subtle sweetness sit alongside the smoke, but pepper, spices and smoked fish keep it firmly savoury. The finish deserves particular attention: the smoke lingers, with warm peat, prominent herbal notes, lemon zest and camphor. That lasting peat character suits a preference for a finish that remains clearly defined. For my taste, the spice and lemon make the heavier notes more interesting, though the tar and medicinal character could be a reservation for someone seeking a gentler whisky.

Nose: Intense peat smoke and tar, Seaweed and seashells, Lemon and hessian-like earthinessPalate: Smoke and peat, Vanilla and subtle sweetness, Pepper and spices, Smoked fish, seaweed, medicinal and herbal notesFinish: Warm peat and lingering smoke, Prominent herbal notes, Lemon zest and camphor
sundialrambler avatarsundialrambler24 Mar
88 / 100

The pepper and spices give this a lively edge, while vanilla and a little sweetness soften the smoky, peaty character. That contrast makes for a bold but appealing mix.

Nose: Peat smoke, tar, and coastal notes, Lemon and earthy notesPalate: Pepper and spices, Vanilla and subtle sweetness, Smoke, citrus, and seaweedFinish: Warm peat and lingering smoke, Herbal notes and lemon zest
nightjarkit avatarnightjarkit16 Feb
88 / 100

Bourbon cask, bold peat.

Nose: No tasting notes yetPalate: No tasting notes yetFinish: No tasting notes yet
Change-5.3%
LatestSGD 578
HighSGD 610
LowSGD 479
SGD 625SGD 572SGD 518SGD 464Price (SGD)Observed dateAug 4Oct 6Feb 9Aug 4 - SGD 610 - Whisky Auctioneer - Aug 4, 2025Oct 6 - SGD 479 - Whisky Auctioneer - Oct 6, 2025Feb 9 - SGD 578 - Whisky Auctioneer - Feb 9, 2026

Recently Sold

Listed value is based on sold auction prices and inclusive of auction fees (not including tax and shipping).

Whisky AuctioneerAuction Sold Price - Feb 9, 2026SGD 577.51
Whisky AuctioneerAuction Sold Price - Oct 6, 2025SGD 479.43
Whisky AuctioneerAuction Sold Price - Aug 4, 2025SGD 609.82
Cask type
Bourbon
Bottling
Independent Bottling - The Character of Islay Whisky Company
Peated
Peated
Single cask
Yes
Non-chill filtered
Yes
Cask origin
N.A
Cask no.
257
Batch
N.A
PPM
N.A
Barley
N.A
Fermentation
N.A
Master distiller (bottling)
N.A
Master distiller (distillation)
N.A
Limited edition
Yes
Bottle count
92
Has box
Yes
Closure
Driven Cork
Presentation
Tube
Series highlights
The Stories of Wind & Wave
Historical context
N.A
Special release
La Maison du Whisky Exclusive, French Connections
Allocation
France
Nose
Intense peat smoke and tar aromas, hints of ashes and camphor, coastal notes of seaweeds and seashells, zesty notes of lemon, hessian-like earthiness.
Palate
Smoky and peaty flavours, hints of vanilla and subtle sweetness, citric notes, pepper and spices, bonfire note, smoked fish and a touch of seaweed, medicinal and herbal notes.
Finish
Warm and peaty, lingering smoky quality, prominent herbal notes, refreshing lemon zest note, camphor.
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