May 2026
Ardbeg Dolce: Ardbeg Day 2026 Release
This year’s official Ardbeg Day limited release is the blueprint to World’s Best Single Malt. Reserve your bottle today to skip the waitlist for Ardbeg’s award-winning Marsala cask recipe.
United KingdomColour Sunset orange
Nose Sticky apricot with smoky applewood, Sicilian olives and orange cake.
Palate Bold spices unfold into dark chocolate, baked dates and roasted nuts with a clinging, bonfire finish.
Overview
For the first time in over a decade, Ardbeg are returning to the recipe of their most famous limited edition: Marsala casks.
That last launch – the phenomenal Ardbeg Galileo - scored the distillery World’s Best Single Malt at the 2013 World Whiskies Awards. Nowadays its hard to come by, even at auction. And if you happened to find that edition at an Aussie bottleshop? You’re looking at $600-$1200.
So we reckon it’s time to bring on Ardbeg Dolce: Ardbeg Day 2026 Release, a limited edition that peat heads can’t afford to miss. Straight back to that Marsala influence, straight back to exceptional whiskymaking. And yours for $180.
These ‘dolce’ (sweet) Marsala casks are typical of the Sicilian fortified wine, adding a nutty, rich caramelised nuance, so you can get your lips around apricot, smoky applewood, baked dates and roasted nuts with a finish that clings deliciously. With no chill filtration or added colour, its 47.8% ABV makes that soot really pop.
A word of warning: as the official launch partners for Ardbeg Day in Australia, we’ve fought tooth and nail to grab as many bottles for the country as we could. But you’ll need still to be QUICK. Last year’s Ardbeg Day release was sold out by 8.30am the same morning it launched, with a waitlist of 600.
Whisky Clubbers, the release isn’t till 1st May but you can reserve yours today! Head to your Club account now and click ‘Waitlist’ to secure a bottle.
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THE SPECS
Price: $180.00
Age: No Age Statement
ABV: 47.8%
Maturation: ‘Dolce’ (sweet) Sicilian Marsala fortified wine casks
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Ardbeg's History
The south coast of Islay is hallowed ground for peat lovers, with the holy trinity of Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg distilleries all within a stone's throw of each other. Despite having been making whisky since 1798, it was 1815 when John McDougall was granted a licence, making the distillery a legitimate operation. The name Ardbeg comes from the Gaelic word ‘ad bheag’, meaning small hill.
Distillery Facts
Region: Islay
Origin: Ardbeg Distillery, Port Ellen, Islay, Argyll, PA42 7EA
Founded: 1815
Water Source: Loch Uigeadail
Washbacks: 6, wooden
Stills: 2 wash and 2 spirit
Capacity: 2,400,000 litres per annum