Used to present the Saturday football results on a Highland radio station. That’s where it started for me’, ‘I did not plan on going into whisky making, because both my father and grandfather were into it – my grandfather was head maltman at Port Ellen and my father was a stillman. The Ardbeg Distillery has actually released a search for a new distillery manager. In October this year, Mickey Heads will retire as supervisor after 13 years in the role. Meet some of the characters that give Ardbeg its own singularly unique character. The distillery has been owned by Glenmorangie since 1997. Here’s what he had to say about life on Islay. Heads is an Islay native who is the current distillery manager. The Committee have invested much in ensuring the future of the Distillery and it’s only right that they should share the rewards of its turbulent past too.” Ardbeg has been celebrating on social media and has some special event planned to be announced shortly. Strength: 46% abv. ‘I was born in Port Ellen too many years ago to mention’, ‘1 October 1979: I remember that date. Today, June 3 2017, is Ardbeg Day and a great time to share with you the greatness of Ardbeg and Distillery Manager Mickey Heads. Islay single malt Ardbeg is asking fans to pour a dram and give three cheers for Mickey Heads, who is celebrating a decade as distillery manager. Two men are mainly responsible for what’s being bottled – Mickey Heads and Dr. Bill Lumsden. Since March we have known that Ardbegs DistilleryManager Mickey Heads will retire this year (we reported). Over the past decade Ardbeg and Mickey have been exposing the whisky world to intriguing drinking experiences and flavors that have become many a whisky fan’s all time favorite. Ardbeg Perpetuum Bicentenary Release / Signed by Mickey Heads Jump to navigation In their own words – Mickey Heads, distillery manager, Ardbeg, on In their own words – Mickey Heads, distillery manager, Ardbeg, Caol Ila 2002 – Gordon & MacPhail TWE Exclusive, » In seinen eigenen Worten: Mickey Heads, Distillery Manager bei Ardbeg, The Whisky Exchange Vinopolis – My Memories — The Whisky Exchange Whisky Blog, Feis Ile 2020 – The Islay Festival online, The 10 Best Drinks Gifts Available Right Now, Ardbeg 1976 Manager’s Choice – buy it for its 1999 price, Black Tot 50th Anniversary – remembering naval rum, La Bota de Manzanilla 101 'florpower MMXVI 2016 / Equipo Navazos / 75cl / 15%, La Bota de Manzanilla Pasada 100 Botas no / Equipo Navazos / 75cl / 16.5%, La Bota De Florpower 99 'Antes de la Flor' 2019 / Equipo Navazos / 75cl / 11.5%, Niepoort Garrafeira 1983 Vintage Port / 75cl / 20%. One day somebody else will be doing it, maybe better than I will’, ‘We’ve got a little croft, and I spend some time up there. Spent 10 years in the Royal Navy. I did malting, warehousing, I did it all, bits and pieces as well. ‘1 October 1979: I remember that date. It’s a beautiful part of the world – I walk out the door and I can see Kintyre, the hills of Ireland, the reefs and all that: it’s a great place to live and work. Loves anything with 2 wheels and writing poetry. Ardbeg has such a long history, I’ve always seen myself as a custodian carrying it forward for the next generation. Oh! By Jesse Proulx on 2017-03-06 0. A real baptism of […]. Mickey’s official retirement date isn’t until October this year, so we’re pleased that he’ll be with us to celebrate Ardbeg Day 2020. A good interview for all the Ardbeg and Islay whisky enthusiasts. Region: Islay. In winter months, can often be found on the hills deer stalking. Once saw Elvis Presley climbing a tree outside a bar in Germany. Registered in England and Wales (Company No. Επιπλέον, ο Mickey Heads, Ardbeg Distillery Manager, προσέθεσε: «Η προσθήκη μιας νέας ετικέτας στην βασική συλλογή του Ardbeg, είναι πάντα μια σημαντική στιγμή για εμάς εδώ στο αποστακτήριο, αλλά το Wee Beastie είναι ένα ιδιαίτερα ξεχωριστό dram. 08 March 2017 by Richard Woodard. Ardbeg’s manager Mickey Heads celebrating 10 years of service tomorrow. Distillery: Ardbeg. Like his father and grandfather before him (his grandfather was head maltman at Port Ellen and his father was a stillman), Mickey has a true passion for distilling and continues this legacy from his home at the Ardbeg … I think I’ve been in the right place at the right time a couple of times…’, ‘I’ve been at Ardbeg almost eight years. A bit of fencing, a bit of ditching, getting my hands dirty. Now Ardbeg is happy to announce the appointment of Mickey's successor - Colin Gordon - who is joining as Distillery Production Manager. In their own words – Mickey Heads, distillery manager, Ardbeg. “We were looking forward to marking Ardbeg Day this year with our dyed-in-the-wool fans here at the Distillery, and at celebrations around world,” said Mickey Heads, Ardbeg Distillery Manager, in a prepared statement. “Sadly, global events overtook us. In October of this year, Mickey Heads, Ardbeg's Distillery Manager will retire after 13 years at the helm - leaving big boots (as well as casks) to fill at the Islay distillery. Please note that there might be minor scratches on the bottle/bottles labels, and packaging. Always come and say hello if you see me’, ‘I get up in front of people to do a tasting and think, “Wait a minute, I’m a quiet island boy.” It takes a bit of getting used to’, ‘People come along and enjoy the whisky, and that’s what it’s all about: the whisky is the star. Mickey Heads DISTILLERY MANAGER & CHAIRMAN OF THE ARDBEG COMMITTEE The 20th manager to take the reins at Ardbeg and genuine Ileach. In Port Ellen geboren, hatte er […]. I met a friendly old boy at the Ardbeg distillery the the other day. We recently managed to grab a few minutes before a whisky tasting with Ardbeg distillery manager Mickey Heads. This is big, bold and complex. We recently managed to grab a few minutes before a whisky tasting with Ardbeg distillery manager Mickey Heads. Ardbeg born and bred (when Ardbeg was still a village). Just like brewers, we ferment our malt. 13 Comments on In their own words – Mickey Heads, distillery manager, Ardbeg. The 20th manager to take the reins at Ardbeg and genuine Ileach. Mickey Heads, Manager of the Ardbeg distillery will be celebrating 10 years of service on 2017/03/07. Michael "Mickey" Heads, an Islay native and former manager at Jura who had worked at Ardbeg years earlier, took over on 12 March 2007. Ian Henderson [Laphroaig manager at the time] asked me to be assistant brewer, and I went from there. […] make sure you kick back on Saturday with a glass of Ardbeg, and raise a toast to distillery manager Mickey Heads and his team. For me, memories of Ardbeg and of its inimitable manager, Mickey Heads (now celebrating a decade in the job ), are inevitably coloured by the Islay weather – but not in the way that you might think. Ardbeg’s acclaimed outgoing Distillery manager, Michael (Mickey) Heads, has more than 30 years of experience in the whisky industry. Mickey Heads, who is the Chairman of the Ardbeg Committee, said: “Ardbeg Twenty One is a shining example of Ardbeg’s enduring spirit. Ardbeg Kildalton Signed by Mickey Heads £ 750.00 View bottle; Ardbeg Blaaack Committee 20th Anniversary Limited Edition No 239 £ 210.00 View bottle; Ardbeg Exploration Pack No 191 £ 100.00 View bottle; Ardbeg Blaaack Committee 20th Anniversary Limited Edition No 336 £ 180.00 View bottle Distillery Manager Mickey Heads profiles Ardbeg Uigeadail. Most unassuming man you’ll ever meet. The name Ardbeg is an anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic An Àird Bheag, meaning The Small Promontory. He is just as much a part of Ardbeg as our whisky is. Hundreds of Ileachs (Scots Gaelic for someone from Islay) are employed in the whisky business, and clichés … I said no, I’m not going to work in a distillery’, ‘I went on shift and did distillation and mashing. Plenty to keep me going and keep me fit’, ‘We’ve had the Galileos and Alligators – they’ve got quirky names but the thing about them is that the quality is always very good. Meet some of the characters that give Ardbeg its own singularly unique character. Well-deserved winner of Icons of Whisky Global Distillery Manager of the Year 2014. Mickey Heads. Production is the big thing that’s changed since then – we’re working 7 days a week and have gone from 10 guys working up to 18 of us’, ‘It’s great to see people at the distillery. Fantasy dinner party companions would be Valentino, Charles Luciano, Charlies Darwin (Bill’s scientific hero), Michael Jackson or Prince and Kim Novac. Mickey Heads (left, with Laphroaig master distiller John Campbell) is retiring from Ardbeg after 13 years as distillery manager. To give him a fitted goodbye they’ll launch Arrrrrrrdbeg… Encounter number one: September 2010. I’m here looking after it at the moment and there will be someone else looking after it long after I’m not here’, ‘I live 100 metres from my office. The distillery was reopened by Ed Dodson in 1997 and handed over to Stuart Thomson, who managed it from 1997 to 2006. Registered Office: Elixir House, Whitby Avenue, Park Royal, London NW10 7SF, UK. 07 March 2017 by Melita Kiely. Bottle Size: 70cl. Born on Islay, Heads was appointed distillery manager in 2007, 10 years after Ardbeg was acquired by the Glenmorangie Company and re … Mickey Heads. This bottle has been signed by the one and only Mickey Heads Distillery Manager & Chairman of the Ardbeg Committee. Throughout Mickey’s time, he has played a part in the incredible growth of the Ardbeg brand name while preserving the flawless quality of the whisky. Here’s what he had to say about life on Islay. With very best wishes from everyone at Ardbeg, Mickey Heads Committee Chairman Copyright © The Whisky Exchange 1999-2020 All Rights Reserved. We had a quick chat about life and Ardbeg and then I asked him what his connection with Ardbeg was. According to Mickey Heads, Ardbeg distillery manager: “… any whiskyphile worth their malt will tell you, beer and whisky share the same DNA. Found on the bottle/bottles labels, and being part of the Year ’ s. October 1, 2020 Royal, London NW10 7SF, UK before a related! It is fantastic er [ … ] a bit of ditching, getting my hands dirty then. 1 October 1979: I remember that date had a quick chat about life and Ardbeg Islay... 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