Tours available all year twice a day 7 days a week; visit http://ardbeg.com/visit-us/tours for times.

Ardbeg Tour & Tasting £5

The perfect introduction to unquestionably the greatest distillery on Earth. You’ll go behind the scenes and see all the working parts of the Distillery, discovering the production process step-by-step. Then retire to the Chairman’s study for a tasting of new make spirit and a dram of the Ultimate Islay malt from Ardbeg’s main range, such as Ardbeg Ten Years Old, Ardbeg Uigeadail or Ardbeg Corryvreckan. An essential tour for Ardbeginners.

Ardbeg Full Range Tour & Tasting £20

What makes Ardbeg single malt whisky so deep, complex and smoky? This is your chance to unearth the mysteries of Ardbeg, both through the production process and its rich history. You’ll be led on an enlightening and comprehensive tour of the Distillery and then enjoy a tasting in the Chairman’s Study, where you’ll be invited to sip and savour not only three expressions from our main range, but two superb drams of Ardbeg from the past chosen by your guide.

Wood & Whisky Tasting in Warehouse 3 £30

Not a tour, rather a unique and special tasting experience. Where could be more perfect to experience an Ardbeg whisky tasting, than in the deep and smoky heart of the Distillery? Surrounded by slumbering casks of Ardbeg in Warehouse 3, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn a little more about the alchemy within the oak cask and explore the art and chemistry of maturation. Taste three delectable examples of Ardbeg, straight from the cask ­– paired with a delicious bite of food to complement each dram. The choice of casks and food will change daily. Perfect for those who may have toured the Distillery previously and simply wish to enjoy an unforgettable tasting in amazing surroundings.

The Ardbeg distillery has been producing whisky since 1798, and began commercial production in 1815. Like most Scottish distilleries, for most of its history, its whisky was produced for use in blended whisky, rather than as a single malt. By 1886 the distillery produced 300,000 gallons of whisky per year, and employed 60 workers.

Production was halted in 1981, but resumed on a limited basis in 1989 and continued at a low level through late 1996, during the period when Ardbeg was owned by Hiram Walker.[citation needed] The distillery was bought and reopened by Glenmorangie plc (owned by the French company LVMH) with production resuming on June 25, 1997 and full production resuming in 1998.

The distillery was reopened by Ed Dodson in 1997 and handed over to Stuart Thomson, who managed it from 1997 to 2006. Michael "Mickey" Heads, an Islay native and former manager at Jura who had worked at Ardbeg years earlier, took over on 12 March 2007.

The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic: Àrd Beag, meaning Small Headland.