The Authentic Collection was launched by Wm. Cadenhead in 1991, and included whiskies from several rare closed Scottish and Irish distilleries, bottled for the company's 150th anniversary. It would later go on to become a mainstay of their portfolio, as the cask strength alternative to the Original Collection, which replaced their famous "dumpy" bottlings in the early 1990s. The Authentic Collection is now the flagship Cadenhead brand, and one of the most recognisable independent labels on the market.

This 1975 vintage Ardbeg was drawn from sherry wood in 1996.

You would not think it to see it now, but Ardbeg had a difficult time of it for much of the 20th century. The distillery was bought in a joint venture between Hiram Walker and DCL in 1959, both intending to supply their blends. The subsequent years were very successful, but DCL backed out in 1979 (closing many of their other distilleries a few years later), and Hiram Walker then struggled in the 1980s era oversupply when interest is blended Scotch was waning. They closed it down for the majority of the decade. It re-opened briefly in the 1990s before being revived for good by Glenmorangie plc in 1997. The lack of demand in the period prior to this, thankfully, saw a lot of casks sold to independent bottlers, many of which have gone on to become legendary releases.

Colour: light amber. Nose: a beautiful mixture of sea air, light caramel and fresh vanilla. Hazelnuts, oysters, cider apples… A bonfire on the beach (now I’m talking like the Scotch Malt Whisky Society!) Very subtle, very delicate… Subtler than the usual Ardbegs. A thrill! Again some notes of Werther’s Originals. Mouth: rather nervous, on pine syrup, tar liquor, burnt herbs… Some rubbery notes. Grilled Provence herbs, strong liquorice candies… Again it’s not overly complex on the palate, but very compact and satisfying (but not for newcomers, even if that sounds a bit selfish).

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