Is this Islay distillery about to use Turkish casks?

Thursday, 23 July 2026 at 11:33

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The TTB database has listed an intriguing label: Ardbeg Twin Barrel. This new Islay whisky is matured in a combination of Turkish wine casks and classic bourbon barrels. That could make Ardbeg the first distillery to release a whisky using this particular cask pairing.

The official launch hasn’t been confirmed yet. Even so, while we don’t know everything about the whisky, there’s already plenty of information available— including its flavor profile.

Ardbeg marries bourbon barrels with Turkish wine casks

According to the label text, Ardbeg Twin Barrel is composed of whisky drawn from two different cask types. Bourbon barrels are a familiar foundation in Scotch whisky making. Turkish wine casks are far less common, making this release, to put it mildly, eye-catching.

The specific Turkish wine previously held in the casks isn’t disclosed. That detail can greatly influence the final flavor. Turkey boasts more than 1,000 indigenous grape varieties. Well-known red grapes include Öküzgözü, Boğazkere, and Kalecik Karası. For white wines, varieties like Narince, Emir, and Sultaniye are used.

International grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Chardonnay are also cultivated in Turkey. Without further details, it remains unclear which style of wine cask Ardbeg selected for Twin Barrel.

Tasting notes for Ardbeg Twin Barrel

The uncovered label includes a detailed description of aromas and flavors. Ardbeg mentions sweet and floral notes that evolve into spice and smoke. The tasting notes read roughly as follows:

Nose: Sweet and floral aromas, mint milkshake, dark chocolate, white pepper, and licorice root.
Palate: Smoke, chili pepper, bittersweet espresso, dark chocolate, and orange peel.
Finish: Warming and smoky, with pepper, licorice, espresso, and a fresh burst of citrus.

The profile seems to blend Ardbeg’s signature smoky style with the sweeter influences of wine and bourbon casks. Mint, chocolate, and orange add contrast to the smoke and chili heat. The whisky is bottled at 50 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).

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When will Ardbeg Twin Barrel be released?

The label does not yet include clear details on a release date or price. It’s also unknown whether Ardbeg Twin Barrel will be available worldwide or limited to selected markets and retailers.

Until Ardbeg announces the whisky officially, its arrival remains unconfirmed. The label does suggest, however, that the distillery is working on a release where Turkish wine casks take center stage. In any official unveiling, the provenance of the casks and the grape varieties used will likely be key talking points.