Ardbeg Dolce is this year’s limited-edition 2026 release, inspired by La Dolce Vita and the glamour of 1960s Italian cinema. As someone who’s always had a soft spot for Islay whiskies, I went into this one cautiously optimistic because a few recent Ardbeg special releases haven’t quite lived up to the hype for me. So, when I spotted it on the menu at The Haven this weekend, there was absolutely no chance I was passing up a pour.

This no-age-statement release was matured in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in sweet Sicilian Marsala Dolce wine casks.

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Nose: plums, oranges, dates, and peat smoke

Palate: cinnamon up front, followed by sweetness with notes of honey, orange zest, dates, fruit, chocolate and lingering smoke

Finish: peat and smoked wood

ABV: 47.8% | Cost: $110 msrp

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Darn, I wasn’t expecting to love this as much as I did. This was fantastic. The influence from the Marsala casks comes through immediately, bringing a rich sweetness with notes of honey, fruit, and dates. But the standout for me was the cinnamon. I love cinnamon in whisky, and here it worked beautifully with the sweetness. Beneath that, you still get the classic Ardbeg smoke along with hints of chocolate and earthy peat, though the peat never overpowers the dram. Everything felt incredibly well balanced. A whisky that genuinely feels like Scotland and Italy meeting in the glass.

To me, this is like a campfire Negroni along the Amalfi Coast. I would absolutely purchase a bottle. Ardbeg truly nailed this expression, balancing classic Islay smoke with sweet orange, rich fruit, and the decadent influence of the Marsala casks. The peat is present, but beautifully integrated rather than overpowering. If smoky whisky with an Italian aperitivo twist sounds appealing, I recommend giving this one a try.

Cheers!

Note: The contents on my blog are solely my opinion. To me every palate is different! Although I may or may not like a product, I always recommend people to try it and make up their own minds.