Ardbeg

The Ardbeg whisky distillery, located on the island of Islay in western Scotland, was founded in 1815, but before that, it was better known for illegal distillation and whisky smuggling. The Ardbeg whisky distillery gets its soft water from Loch Uigeadail, and there are ample supplies of both barley and the special Islay peat that gives Ardbeg its unique, smoky flavour. The distillery has a stainless steel mash tun, 6 Oregon pine fermentation vats, and 2 large stills. In 1997, Ardbeg whisky was acquired by the Moët Hennessy group, which also includes Glenmorangie whisky, Hennessy cognac, and Moët & Chandon champagne in its portfolio.