Ardbeg Single Cask #343 The Ultimate Single Malt Scotch Whisky

A thunderous yet exquisitely controlled Islay single malt, Ardbeg Single Cask #343 is peat at its most monumental and refined. Intensely smoky, deeply complex, and unmistakably rare, this one-off bottling captures Ardbeg’s raw power through the lens of single-cask purity—an uncompromising whisky built for serious collectors and devoted peat lovers.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Distilled at Ardbeg on the southern coast of Islay, Single Cask #343 is drawn from a single, hand-selected barrel showcasing the distillery’s boldest house character without dilution or blending. Crafted from heavily peated malted barley and distilled using Ardbeg’s traditional copper pot stills, the spirit is designed to preserve maximum phenolic intensity while maintaining remarkable depth and texture.

Matured entirely in one cask—selected for its exceptional interaction with Ardbeg’s smoke-driven distillate—the whisky reflects a precise balance between peat, oak, and maritime influence. The single-cask format allows subtle variations in wood, climate, and time to express themselves fully, resulting in a whisky that is both fiercely individual and unmistakably Ardbeg. Bottled in extremely limited quantities, Single Cask #343 stands as a singular snapshot of Islay terroir and Ardbeg’s uncompromising craftsmanship.

Critics Reviews
Elite whisky critics consistently revere Ardbeg single cask releases for their intensity and clarity of expression. Leading Islay specialists score standout Ardbeg single casks in the mid-to-high 90s, praising their “towering peat structure, layered complexity, and extraordinary concentration.” Professional tasting panels frequently highlight the balance between brute smoky force and refined sweetness, noting that top Ardbeg single casks rank among the most thrilling peated whiskies ever bottled.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Explosive yet precise, opening with dense peat smoke, charred driftwood, and iodine, followed by lemon oil, smoked sea salt, dark cocoa, and hints of cured meat and anise.

Palate:
Full-bodied and commanding, delivering waves of tar, campfire smoke, and black pepper balanced by sweet malt, vanilla cream, and citrus zest. Oak spice, espresso, and subtle coastal salinity build in layers, revealing remarkable depth beneath the smoke.

Finish:
Immense and long-lasting, with lingering peat embers, ash, salted caramel, and warming spice that resonate long after the final sip.

Quick Overview