{"product_id":"ardbeg-single-malt-scotch-an-oa","title":"Ardbeg Single Malt Scotch An Oa","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArdbeg An Oa is the most approachable expression in the core Ardbeg range — a no-age-statement Islay \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/single-malt\"\u003esingle malt\u003c\/a\u003e named after the Oa peninsula on Islay, assembled from ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry, and Pedro Ximénez casks in Ardbeg's signature Gathering Vat before bottling at 46.6% ABV.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Gathering Vat process is what distinguishes An Oa from other Ardbeg expressions — the three cask types (ex-bourbon, Oloroso, PX) are brought together in the Gathering Vat for additional integration time before bottling, allowing the different cask influences to marry into a more rounded, unified character than they would produce separately. The PX sherry adds sweetness, the Oloroso adds dried fruit and spice, and the ex-bourbon contributes vanilla and the distillery's characteristic smoke. The result is Ardbeg's most accessible expression — the peat is fully present but surrounded by sweetness. Browse all \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ardbeg\"\u003eArdbeg at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eIs Ardbeg An Oa a good introduction to peated Scotch?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes — it is the most approachable expression in the Ardbeg range. The multiple sherry cask influence and the Gathering Vat integration round the peat into something more accessible than the 10-year's direct smoke presentation. For someone wanting to explore Islay peat without full Ardbeg intensity, An Oa is the right starting point.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWhat is the Gathering Vat?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eA large wooden vessel unique to Ardbeg where the component casks from the three maturation types are assembled and given additional time to integrate before bottling. It is Ardbeg's version of the marriage process — allowing the different cask characters to become a unified whole rather than a simple mixture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is Ardbeg An Oa a good introduction to peated Scotch?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes — the most approachable Ardbeg expression. Multiple sherry cask influence and the Gathering Vat round the peat into something more accessible than the 10-year's direct smoke. Best starting point for exploring Islay peat.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the Gathering Vat?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A large wooden vessel unique to Ardbeg where component casks from three maturation types are assembled and given additional integration time before bottling — Ardbeg's marriage process.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Ardbeg","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42903925489735,"sku":"S 081753832964","price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/0640\/2375\/files\/ardberg-an-oa-single-malt-scotch-whisky.jpg?v=1782413588","url":"https:\/\/bourbonnest.com\/products\/ardbeg-single-malt-scotch-an-oa","provider":"Bourbon Nest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}