Too much smoke is never enough when you're a peaty whisky enthusiast. Peat is your middle name. And, when it comes to palate-smacking smoky drops, Ardbeg is a solid choice. Not only is it unbelievably smoky but it's also surprisingly sweet — fans call this 'the peaty paradox'.
Well, whisky aficionados, as a way for you to test your capacity to handle this complex flavour, we've found four events where you can sip the smoky stuff to your heart's content. The Ardbeg Smokehouse is a series of venue takeovers featuring whisky tastings, cocktails, smoke-infused eats and live entertainment. You can sample the first ever Ardbeg-infused beer, tuck into a fiery three-course feast and swirl whisky like a distinguished aristocrat in a dapper CBD bar. Bottoms up, peaty pals.
-
4READ MORE
Make tracks to The Oxford Tavern on Saturday, October 27, for a wicked whisky and meat fest. This inaugural event is making good use of Black Betty, The Oxford Tav’s renowned barbecue, so you can expect generous platters of barbecue pork ribs, slathered in Ardbeg-infused barbecue sauce, cornbread, slaw and pickles, plus pulled pork and beef sliders.
On the cocktail menu, look out for the Untamed Beast — an explosion of Ardbeg 10 Years Old, apricot and smoke — as well as An Unassuming Wisp, a bold yet all too drinkable concoction of Ardbeg An Oa, coffee and wattle cola, among other new creations. For serious whisky drinkers, the ultimate experience is the flight: a tasting paddle containing three of Ardbeg’s smokiest drops, accompanied by beef jerky done three ways.
-
3READ MORE Book Now
Sometimes it can be hard to decide if you’re in a beer or whisky mood. Well, say no more — we bring you Ardbeer, the hybrid tipple of your dreams (particularly if you’re a fan of a boilermaker). Yes, for the first time in world history, a brewer has added Ardbeg whisky to beer. And you can be among the first to taste test this beautiful creation at Websters Bar in Newtown — but there’ll only be one keg available so you’ll need to move smart fast.
Handcrafted by the folks at Akasha Brewing Co. in Five Dock, the drop blends flavourful brown ale with a good dose of Ardbeg smokiness. In between sampling Ardbeer, you can feast on burgers with Dr Pepper and smoky Ardbeg barbecue sauce or hot dogs with house-made smoky Ardbeg ketchup. You can also treat yourself to some top-notch Ardbeg cocktails.
-
2READ MORE
This next smoked whisky event is happening at your mate’s place. Okay, Old Mate’s Place to be exact. On Sunday, November 11, whisky purveyors Ardbeg will take over this brand-spankin’ new CBD bar for the ultimate snags and whisky palooza. Old Mate’s library-esque interior makes it the perfect place to sip whisky like a distinguished aristocrat surrounded by stately bookshelves, dapper furnishings and family heirlooms.
The cocktail masters at Old Mate’s Place will be crafting a throng of custom cocktails, designed to challenge your proclivity for smoke and test just how smoky you can go. When hunger strikes, tuck into juicy snags straight off the barbie complete with Ardbeg’s very own barbecue sauce. All money raised from snag sales will go directly to the RSPCA, so you can eat, drink and feel good that you’re helping animals along the way.
-
1READ MORE Buy Tickets
On Friday, November 23, Porteño will host a three-course culinary journey through the different stages of fire — smoke for starters, fire for main and coal for dessert — all accompanied by Ardbeg drinks. If you’ve been to Porteño before you’ll be familiar with the intoxicating meaty aromas which waft from the open grill. This South American-style grill delivers succulent charcoal-roasted meats, while a custom-built, woodfired oven roasts veggies to perfection.
This dinner and its accompanying tipples are not about flavour restraint. You’ll start off strong with an Ardbeg served neat alongside your first course, followed by two custom cocktails to match your main and dessert. With a delicious smokiness running through each course, we can’t imagine a more fitting venue to deliver this tribute to fire and smoke.