Auriverdes whisky inspired by the World Cup

Auriverdes is the 2014 limited edition malt whisky from the Islay distillery Ardbeg. 

The new release has been matured in American oak casks with specially toasted cask lids which were tailor-made for this whisky. The toasting technique has given the whisky a distinctive flavour profile with the lids producing a mocha coffee flavour at one end, flowing into creamy vanilla at the other –a dram of two halves!

 The name of Ardbeg Auriverdes derives from the colour of the golden whisky (auri) in Ardbeg’s green bottle (verde). Auriverdes is also the nickname of the national football team of Brazil, hosts of this summer’s World Cup, and inspiration behind Ardbeg’s Peat Football tournament which will be happening all around the world on May 31, Ardbeg Day – the distilleries annual celebration of all things Ardbeg – culminating in the Ardbeg Swamp Football World Cup on June 28 and 29 in Argyll, Scotland.

The carton was designed by Edinburgh agency 'Story'. (The scarf doesn't come with the bottle). The packaging, bottling name and colours were all inspired by the Ardbeggian take on the World Cup, the gold whisky in a green bottle and Ardbeg's peaty heritage. The fact that Auriverdes is the name of the Brazilian football team is a "happy coincidence".

Ardbeg Auriverdes follows the highly-acclaimed limited edition Galileo, which scooped the title of ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whisky Awards 2013. The 2014 Limited Edition Ardbeg is bottled at 49.9%abv and will be available from www.ardbeg.com

Dr Bill Lumsden, director of distillation and whisky creation, explains: “When creating Auriverdes I had a distinct flavour profile in mind that I wanted to achieve, so I specifically created the heart of the recipe to bring that to life. It is an expression of Ardbeg which has exceeded all my expectations – it has the trademark Ardbeg undertones with a distinct new taste experience. Ardbeg Auriverdes has an explosive mouthfeel which gives way to complex flavours of coffee grounds, liquorice, maple smoked ham, malty/biscuit notes, white pepper and a good sweet/salty balance.”

The release celebrates the Islay Festival (the Feis Ile) – of which Ardbeg Day marks the culmination – running from May 23 to May 31. For those whisky enthusiasts unable to make the journey to Islay, local Ardbeg Day events and membership of the Committee provides a means to celebrate Auriverdes in their own country. The Ardbeg Committee currently has 100,000 members: www.ardbeg.com

Global Distillery Manager of the Year

Ardbeg Distillery is raising a glass in proud celebration of Michael (Mickey) Heads who was named Global Distillery Manager of the Year 2014 at the esteemed World Whisky Awards in London on March 20.
 
Mickey received recognition for his commitment to providing consistently exceptional whisky, beating finalists from around the world.  He commented:
“I was shocked to find out I had won the Global Distillery Manager of the Year award. It was a lovely surprise. To beat off competition from around the world is very flattering! I am delighted, not only for me but for the distillery, as you cannot win awards without a team of great people around you, and here at Ardbeg we have that in abundance.  Being an Islay boy born and bred I know how important this award is for the Distillery and for our island, and will help keep our wonderful spirit in everyone’s minds and drinks cabinets!”
 
Dr Bill Lumsden explained: “With nearly 30 years of working in the whisky industry it is fair to say that Mickey has Scotch whisky running through his veins!  He has a great passion for whisky distilling and is the Chairman of the Ardbeg Committee, a group of 100,000 enthusiasts from 140 countries across the world.  I am delighted his achievements have been recognised by our industry peers as a Global Icon of Whisky.”
 
This latest accolade is further recognition of the exceptional work of the Ardbeg Distillery team, from the warm welcome guests receive (following Jackie Thomson being named as Global Icon Visitor Centre Manager of the Year in 2013) to creating the ‘Ultimate Islay Malt’ under the watchful eye of Mickey Heads.

1 April 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor