Ardbeg's first standard release in nearly a decade, An Oa is matured in virgin oak, Pedro Ximenez, and bourbon barrels, with component whiskies married in the 's French oak 'Gathering Vat.' The nose offers sweet peat, smoky lemon rind, ginger, and angelica. A soft and sweet palate entry is followed by hot peat, black tea, peppery cloves, and aniseed. Black pepper lingers through the long, smoky finish.The first addition to Ardbeg's ongoing range for a decade when introduced in 2017, An Oa is a combination of spirit aged in Pedro-Ximenez sherry casks and bourbon barrels. Married in a French-oak marrying vat, this is rounded and smoky with notes of toffee, aniseed, date and banana.