Ardbeg The Beithir’s Tale concludes Anthology series

Ardbeg draws its Anthology series to a close with The Beithir’s Tale.

The range of rare and strange single malts concludes with the distillery’s first Islay single malt whisky matured in “designer bourbon casks”. It’s named after a mythological, serpent-like beast. 

What does it all mean? Let’s take a look.

Designer casks and mythical distillery tours

Ardbeg Anthology is a trilogy, each an unusual single malt that is a collision of classic Ardbeg character and experimental choices. Sweeter, more delicate tones are the goal, for example, in The Beithir’s Tale, fuller, creamier flavours like smoked butter and vanilla were desired to harmonise with “hallmark smoky tones and sharp tangs of eucalyptus and pine”. 

Given each whisky has a “hybrid” character, each malt’s name and packaging are inspired by a different mythological creature said to have been glimpsed on Islay. The bad-tempered beithir is said to have once slithered through an Ardbeg warehouse.

As for the “designer” bourbon casks, these are air-seasoned – rather than kiln-dried – barrels that are then heavily toasted and lightly charred. These were the only casks the single malt was aged in, for a total of 15 years, until the experiment reached “a sweet and aromatic peak”.

Ardbeg The Beithir’s Tale completes the Anthology series

Previous Anthology series entries include The Harpy’s Tale. This 13-year-old whisky was the distillery’s first to be matured in Sauternes sweet white wine casks. Then there’s The Unicorn’s Tale, aged 14 years, which unites bourbon-matured Ardbeg with whisky wholly aged in Madeira wine casks.

“We are always pushing the boundaries of Ardbeg to discover even more flavour combinations. The sweet and smoky ‘hybrids’ of Ardbeg Anthology are as experimental as they come,” master blender Gillian Macdonald explains.

“Created from whisky matured in our designer casks, The Beithir’s Tale is the aromatic and sweet finale of our Anthology series. Named after a mythological, serpentine beast, this 15-year-old whisky invites notes of vanilla and smoked butter to slide through Ardbeg’s classic aromatic flavours of peat smoke, fennel, eucalyptus and pine. Rather like the beithir, it is smooth and mysterious… with a smoky, menthol bite!”

Ardbeg The Beithir’s Tale: now available here!

Ardbeg Anthology: The Beithir’s Tale has launched today. We have stock (until we don’t, so make sure you don’t hang around). If talk of designer casks and snakes stealing a distillery tour hasn’t moved you, perhaps you’ll be interested to know that the new release has already been recognised with the Spirit Gold Outstanding 2025 award (98 points) at this year’s International Wine & Spirits Competition. It also has a gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge.

It’s priced at £135 with an ABV of 46% and to purchase, simply click this link: Ardbeg Anthology: The Beithir’s Tale to head to the product page. 

What’s your favourite limited edition release from Ardbeg? Have you enjoyed the Anthology series so far? Be sure to let us know in the comments. 

Ardbeg The Beithir’s Tale tasting note:

Nose: Pungent, oily and spicy, rich notes of treacle wrap around creosote and smoked herbs. Toasted apples and raisins reveal a sweeter underbelly. With water, eucalyptus, and menthol burst forth as fennel and pine trail behind.

Palate: Astoundingly balanced, a sizzling mouthfeel leads into peat smoke, coffee grits and currants. Sweet lemon balsam entwines with smoked mandarins, followed by a sharp, smoky tang.

Finish: Finally, a long, meandering finish brings with it subtle hints of vanilla and smoked butter.