Whisky Names Explained: Ardbeg Anthology: The Beithir's Tale

Monday, 11 August 2025 at 15:01

Gillian MAcDonald with Ardbeg Anthology The BEithirs Tale whisky and a tulip glass

Ardbeg has revealed the third and final whisky from the Anthology series: The Beithir’s Tale. A flavourful whisky with a thrilling tale. In this Whisky Names Explained, we delve into the interesting backstory of this spirit. Are you ready for a monster story?

The Ardbeg distillery on Islay has been producing the most flavourful whiskies for years. Situated in the southern part of the famed whisky isle, its name is derived from its very location.

The name Ardbeg originates from An Àird Bheag, which loosely translates to ‘the small promontory’ or ‘the small headland’.

While the story behind the name Ardbeg may not be quite as exciting, the same cannot be said about the brand’s Anthology whiskies.

What does Beithir mean?

Ardbeg delves into the legend of the Beithir in its new whisky. But what does this actually refer to? The Beithir is a creature found in Scottish folklore. Translated from Gaelic, the word ‘beithir’ holds various meanings such as ‘serpent’, ‘lightning’, or ‘thunder’.

On its own, this provides a fair warning to steer clear of this creature, but there is more. The creature is occasionally referred to as ‘beithir-nimh’, which means ‘poisonous snake’. This brings us a step closer to the creature's story.

What is the legend of the Beithir?

The legend of the Beithir tells of the largest and deadliest snake in existence. The Beithir is also viewed as one of the fuath, a collective term for water spirits and monsters from Scottish mythology.

See of it as a dragon, but without the typical draconic features. The creature looks more like a sea snake or a huge serpent.

The Beithir, according to tales, lurks in the mountains, caves, and valleys of Scotland, being most active during the evening hours. The unwary passerby could easily find themselves stung by this huge creature.

Once stung, the only option is to run. The sting from a Beithir is venomous. As per an old warning, the only antidote to a sting is to submerge the wound in still water like a lake or a loch, but note: this must occur before the Beithir reaches the water itself.

What is the Ardbeg Anthology The Beithir’s Tale whisky?

Thankfully, the whisky from the Islay distillery merely nods to the venomous creature. The whisky itself is crafted from a smoky spirit that has aged in special bourbon casks. After maturing for 15 years, the whisky is drawn from these casks with the following tasting notes:

Nose: Peat smoke with ash and charcoal, followed by sweeter notes of syrup and vanilla, citrus peel, and a hint of dark coffee.
Palate: Full and vibrant with smoked butter, caramel and spicy wood notes followed by peppery citrus and a hint of coffee grounds. The charred bourbon casks provide a deep, almost toffee-like warmth.
Finish: Long, smoky and slightly oily with notes of vanilla and smoked butter.

From August 12, the whisky is available for purchase via the Ardbeg website and through Ardbeg Embassies worldwide.