Anthology The Harpy's Tale

The Harpy's Tale launches Ardbeg's Anthology Collection, a series exploring experimental cask combinations. This 13-year-old marries ex-bourbon and ex-Sauternes wine casks—an unconventional pairing that pits sweet wine influence against Ardbeg's signature smoke and peat.

The nose is the standout: a full, inviting blend of peat smoke, sweet fruit, and vanilla hints. On the palate, peat reasserts itself with ashy, smoky character and black pepper bite, though the mouthfeel is soft and oily. The spirit shows some sharpness, and the finish doesn't quite match the promise of the nose.

This is Ardbeg with an experimental twist—not the most harmonious release, but that's precisely the point. The Sauternes cask influence adds a layer of sweetness that complicates rather than smooths the distillery's core character. For Islay enthusiasts curious about what happens when wine cask finishing meets peat.