Ardbeg 1974 Double Barrel #3528

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest in blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997.

Released in 2007, the Ardbeg Double Barrel were two rare and sought after single casks, presented in a leather case from Purdey & Sons. They were casks #3160 and #3528, both distilled in 1974 and bottled with sterling silver labels and individually stamped wax seals. The large presentation case was completed with eight sterling silver cups, and a pen (fashioned from a barrel) and notebook.

This is one cask from that pair, single cask #3528, without the elaborate presentation.

Please note there are no labels, stickers or declerations of ABV or volume. The details of this bottle were sourced from the original set.