Cask No. 3336 astonished Dr. Bill Lumsden as it slumbered in the furthest reaches of earth-floored Warehouse 10. Uniting scents of smoked flowers with peppermint and eucalyptus, it is a quintessentially herbal and floral Ardbeg.

The whisky's spirit was distilled on Monday 4th November 2002, under the watchful gaze of Distillery Manager Stuart Thomson. Then it was laid down in a second-fill bourbon cask, chosen to allow Ardbeg's smoky, balanced spirit to shine. That cask might have been destined for one of Ardbeg's classic bottlings. But delighted by its potential, Dr. Bill set it aside for a longer maturation. Now, after more than 19 years in wood, Cask No. 3336 has come of age. Entwining scents of seaweed and clotted cream with tastes of camphor and menthol notes, it is a classic Ardbeg to savor.

Color: Pale gold

Aroma: Rich and sappy. Smoked clotted cream mingles with pine resin, lime sherbet and scented candle wax. Then comes a hint of leather and digestive biscuits. A splash of water releases a soapiness, along with scents of smoked flowers and seaweed.

Taste: A soft and oily texture brings bold, smoky flavors layering tar, creosote, aniseed and camphor with the distinct sweetness of treacle and molasses. The long finish entwines leather and walnut with eucalyptus, peppermint and the merest suggestion of smoky malted barley.