Ardbeg is one of Islay's most iconic distilleries, legally established in 1815 by John McDougall, a farmer and clan descendant of the Lords of the Isles. The name Ardbeg translates to 'small headlands', a fitting description for its remote, rocky coastal location on the southern shores of Islay. Though illicit distilling on the site is believed to date back to at least 1794, it was under the McDougall family that Ardbeg took its official form. The distillery changed hands several times over the centuries, and after periods of closure and uncertainty in the late 20th century, it was acquired by Glenmorangie in 1997 and subsequently by LVMH, which helped restore it to full production. Ardbeg is celebrated as one of the most heavily peated whiskies in the world, with an intensely smoky, maritime character that sets it apart even among Islay malts. The core range includes expressions such as Ardbeg Ten, Uigeadail, and Corryvreckan — the latter matured in heavily toasted French oak casks — each showcasing the distillery's bold combination of peat smoke, brine, and complex fruit and spice notes. Ardbeg has earned a fiercely loyal global following, supported by the Ardbeg Committee, one of the whisky world's largest fan communities. The distillery regularly releases limited and experimental expressions that attract considerable attention from collectors and enthusiasts alike.