Fort Lane whisky bar, The Jefferson, is one of only four Ardbeg "embassies" in New Zealand and will be the first place in the world to celebrate Ardbeg Day 2018 on June 2. At the stroke of midnight, owner and whisky expert Ofir will crack the lid of a bottle of the 2018 limited edition whisky.
The theme "Ardbeg Grooves" is inspired by the alternative, freewheeling, unorthodox spirit of the 1960s, a time when the tiny Scottish village of Ardbeg in Islay was in its heyday boasting its very own post office and football team.
These limited release whiskys have a cult following and most years are sold out long before they ever reach a liquor store shelf by collectors and lovers of smoky Islay style drams. Grooves was laid down in wine casks, intensely charred to produce heavy grooves on the surface of the wood.
Smoky whisky enthusiasts won't want to miss this celebration of peat and love.