This Islay whisky is distilled with pure seawater

The Ardbeg distillery on Islay has unveiled another striking experiment. Where pure spring water is normally used, this time the still house turned to the sea. A label for the new Ardbeg Seasmoke whisky has surfaced. What will it taste like?

Ardbeg Seasmoke is anything but your average Islay whisky. For this release, the distillery has taken a bold step by using seawater during the mashing of the malt.

According to the Ardbeg whisky label, this is a “seacret recipe,” using seawater drawn straight from the coast by the distillery. That makes Seasmoke the first whisky from Ardbeg crafted in this way. The method, the label suggests, translates directly into the single malt’s flavor profile.

The label already lists the tasting notes. On the nose, expect smoked lime and briny sea air, evolving into fennel and heather. Then come layers of dark chocolate, clove, and tarry nuances.

On the palate, the maritime character of the seawater clearly shines through. A subtle salinity flows into smoky espresso, cashew notes, and smoldering campfire tones. The finish is described as long and intensely smoky, very much in line with what Ardbeg fans know and love.

The whisky is bottled at 50.8% alcohol by volume (ABV).

The submitted labels are packed with puns, for instance you can find the text “Water we up to, you ask?” and “Seacret Recipe.” on the labels. Still, this filing is definitely not an April Fools’ gag. The new Ardbeg whisky really does seem to be on its way.

Whether this turns out to be a one-off experiment or the start of a new direction for Ardbeg remains to be seen. The same goes for the release date and the price per bottle.