It’s not easy flying out of the country these days. Between long security lines, flight delays, and being stuck in the middle seat next to the snoring guy, you deserve the reward of surviving a trip abroad. That’s why I make sure to pack a bottle of Ardbeg Smoketrails every time I travel internationally.
It’s true that most Scotch drinkers are familiar with Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch, but fewer have heard of Ardbeg Smoketrails because it’s practically only available in duty-free shops in remote areas. Yep, you heard right, you’ll have to travel out of the country and browse bottles at the airport to get your hands on this rare and exclusive bottle of whisky.
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I bought mine at one of the world’s largest duty-free shops, Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. The choice of whiskey and Scotch was endless. With limited carry-on options for an 18-hour flight, I limited myself to one bottle.
Smoketrails is my choice because it combines the classic Ardbeg with American oak casks and Manzanilla sherry casks from the Sanlúcar de Barrameda bodega on the Spanish Atlantic coast. It’s worth a trip abroad just to pick up a bottle or two. Here’s a quick review of the best airport whiskeys you might be missing.
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Following the Smoke Trail
Ardbeg is a distillery on the remote Scottish island of Islay that has been famous for producing great Scotch whiskies for over 200 years. Other Ardbeg favourites of mine include the Wee Beastie, a fantastic whisky that is just 5 years old but has an equally great price point. The brand’s standard 10-year-old Scotch is also fantastic. But if I could only choose one bottle of Ardbeg, I’d go for the Smoketrails. A move away from heavily peated Scotch, this whisky is full-bodied but uniquely influenced by Manzanilla sherry casks.
The combination of the classic Ardbeg ex-bourbon casks with Ardbeg matured in Manzanilla sherry casks results in a lively drink. The palate is vibrant with hints of dark fruit, pepper, ashy smoke and walnut. The Scotch opens up to a peppery smoky taste with hints of peat and fruity oak. The finish is clean with little to no heat.
Ardbeg Master Blender and Whisky Creation Manager Gillian Macdonald sees this special release as a journey of flavours from around the world.
“Our Ardbeg Smoketrails Travel Retail Exclusive range offers whisky lovers the chance to embark on a global culinary journey, with each single malt highlighting how casks from around the world influence Ardbeg’s signature character,” says Gillian Macdonald, Ardbeg Master Blender and Head of Whisky Creation. “The first release combines classic Ardbeg American oak-matured malt with Manzanilla sherry casks from Sanlúcar de Barrameda on Spain’s Atlantic coast, creating a salty, maritime flavour combined with our signature smoky intensity.
“For the second release, we looked to Côte Rôtie red wine barrels from the Rhône region of France, which add a distinct minerality, earthy aromas and spicy complexity to Ardbeg’s classic style,” adds Macdonald. “With each release, we strive to offer Ardbeg fans new horizons of smoky flavour to explore.”
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Adventure Awaits
Ardbeg is known for its peat and although available in a more subtle form, the sherry casks add a subtle charred sweetness to Smoketrails. It is a completely unique bottle, not only for Ardbeg but for the entire island and region. That is why it is so difficult to obtain.
This is the first edition of Smoketrails’ series of duty-free special bottles. In 2023, Ardbeg launches an Ardbeg Smoketrails Côte Rôtie Edition matured in highly sought-after Côte Rôtie wine barrels from the Rhône region in southern France.
Bottom line
Ardbeg Smoketrails is a unique expression that stands out from the legendary distillery’s other Scotch whiskies. The influence of the Manzanilla sherry casks has a softening effect on the whisky, and its relative rarity makes it that much more desirable.
While a duty-free international airport is the primary place to pick up a bottle of Ardbeg Smoketrails, there are a few more remote hideaways. The first is the Ardbeg distillery itself, where Smoketrails is available for sale in the distillery’s shop. The other option is to try to find a second-hand bottle, which is sometimes available at retailers and online — the average price per bottle varies wildly, at $250. Otherwise, it’s probably a real duty-free gem in a far-flung airport — and worth every mile traveled.
Bottle Features
- Distiller: Ardbeg
- Bottle: Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla Edition
- Country: Scotland
- Area: Islay
- Medicine: Single Malt
- Evidence: 92%
- Bottled: 2022
- Dimension: 1 liter
- Availability: Duty Free Shops/Arberg Distillery