Ardbeg Smokehouse at Oxford Tavern

Overview

For devoted peaty whisky drinkers, too much smoke is never enough. And, when it comes to smoky drops, Ardbeg is king. Made on the remote, windswept island of Islay — just off Scotland's southwest coast — this much-drunk drop has been found in connoisseur's cabinets for more than 200 years. Not only is it unbelievably smoky, it's also surprisingly sweet — something which fans describe as 'the peaty paradox'.

As a way for you to test your capacity to handle this complex flavour, Ardbeg is hosting The Smokehouse, a series of venue takeovers featuring whisky tastings, cocktails, smoke-infused eats and live entertainment. The first event will kick off at The Oxford Tavern on Saturday, October 27 from midday.

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. Begin with the original, infused with smoky Vegemite, before moving onto the Soljanka flavoured with sauerkraut, spicy pickle and smoky mustard. Last but not least, blow your head off with the hot-hot-hot Habanero.

The Oxford Tavern's Ardbeg Smokehouse will take place this Saturday, October 27 from midday until sold out. You can book a table via The Oxford Tavern's website.