So as London prepares its aged system to cope with a bit of an increase in folk for July and Augst…wait, a BIT of an increase! who are we kidding!? This city is going to be brought to its knees with an influx of tourists in numbers never before seen in London. The transport system, already groaning and creaking under the weight of its 
current use will fail, crumble and disintegrate into one mass cube of metal and rubble quicker that a Jamaican man can run a straight line.
The Modern Olympics requires a modern city to host it, or at least one that can build a modern infrastructure to cope, not just polish up an old one.
Might sound like a rant ( and it is) but i had to travel from the West of London today to central, Chiswick to Soho Whisky Club to be precise, and was faced with delayed trains, failed signals and inconsiderate commuters who insisted on reading their newspaper in the middle of the carriage whilst others breathed salty air from the armpits of squished travellers as they crammed themselves into the carriage. I am the person on a train, whom without reservation, will tell those of a less considerate nature to “move inside the train and put your newspaper away” I think the Scottish accent helps drive home fear at times.
The reason for my olympic dash across London was to ensure I made it to the launch of a new Ardbeg release. The Ardbeg Day. I simply couldn’t miss this chance to be amongst the first to taste this new expression, sweaty or not (me not the dram).
Each year on Islay sees a celebration called Feis Ils, the Islay festival of music and malt. Whats not to love? This year sees Ardbeg take over an entire day,June 2nd, with a number of Olympic themed events taking place all with a whisky theme. Ardbeg release something a wee bit different at the festival, normally reserved for those on the island and in small enough quantities that its doubtful to see it elsewhere. But not this year.
Dr Bill Lumsden, master distiller at both the Ardbeg and Glenmorangie camps has created a dram which will be available to more than just those with a stomach for travel and adventure (its no easy trip over to Islay)
“Ardbeg Day” will be available outside the island to all the Ardbeg embassies and limited to 13,000 bottles which means a few more folk than normal will at least get to try it.
Bill took us through the 10 year old then the Alligator, the latter of which which he explains was inspired by the 70′s TV show The Sweeney, and in particular his love of the Granada Ghia from the series. As he said “the epitome at the time of upgraded class and cool”- this release was his vinyl roofed, fluffy diced, leather seated version of Ardbeg. A whisky inextricably linked to one of the coolest cars ever to grace british TV? that has to be good. Pity it was limited release which has long since gone but thankfully, there is a new release to take up the baton.
Ardbeg Day is made up from parcels of Ardbeg selected by Bill and using ex-Uigeadial sherry butts for 6 months, this is really a delicate step forward from the 10, before the spicy character of the Uigeadail bursts in.
Ardbeg Day
Non chill filtered 56.7%
non age statement
RRP £60
Ex bourbon cask and refill olorosso sherry
