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. He is just as much a part of Ardbeg as our whisky is. “Sadly, global events overtook us. Mickey Heads. 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 Perpetuum Bicentenary Release / Signed by Mickey Heads Jump to navigation Colin Gordon looks back on eight years with the spirits company Diageo and gained a wide range of experience in various areas of the … A real baptism of […]. Oh! ‘I was born in Port Ellen too many years ago to mention’, ‘1 October 1979: I remember that date. In their own words – Mickey Heads, distillery manager, Ardbeg. Most unassuming man you’ll ever meet. Mickey Heads DISTILLERY MANAGER & CHAIRMAN OF THE ARDBEG COMMITTEE The 20th manager to take the reins at Ardbeg and genuine Ileach. 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. The distillery has been owned by Glenmorangie since 1997. Bottle Size: 70cl. Ardbeg has such a long history, I’ve always seen myself as a custodian carrying it forward for the next generation. 07 March 2017 by Melita Kiely. Distillery Manager Mickey Heads profiles Ardbeg Uigeadail. Well-deserved winner of Icons of Whisky Global Distillery Manager of the Year 2014. 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. Ardbeg was voted ‘Scotch Whisky of the Year’ twice by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible (2008, 2009) and has twice been awarded ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards (2010, 2013). 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. The Whisky Exchange is the registered trademark of Speciality Drinks Limited. While not outright stated and based on the color of their whiskies, Ardbeg doesn’t seem to add caramel coloring. Now the Islay distilleryhas unveiled his successor: Colin Gordon will take up the position as DistilleryProductionManager on October 1, 2020. 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 (left, with Laphroaig master distiller John Campbell) is retiring from Ardbeg after 13 years as distillery manager. They say 13 is an unlucky number, but we at Ardbeg have been extremely lucky to have had Mickey at the helm for 13 successful years. (Photo by Martin Hunter) Islay is a small island, just 239 square miles, and—with nine working distilleries and counting—whisky is the heart of the community. “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. Distillery manager Mickey Heads is retiring from Ardbeg distillery this year after being the captain of the ship since 2007. Encounter number one: September 2010. I did malting, warehousing, I did it all, bits and pieces as well. If ever there was a group of people who know how to keep their spirits up, it is our ever-passionate, ever-loyal Ardbeg Committee. Hundreds of Ileachs (Scots Gaelic for someone from Islay) are employed in the whisky business, and clichés … Ardbeg born and bred (when Ardbeg was still a village). Two men are mainly responsible for what’s being bottled – Mickey Heads and Dr. Bill Lumsden. Well-deserved winner of Icons of Whisky Global Distillery Manager of the Year 2014. […] make sure you kick back on Saturday with a glass of Ardbeg, and raise a toast to distillery manager Mickey Heads and his team. We had a quick chat about life and Ardbeg and then I asked him what his connection with Ardbeg was. Loves anything with 2 wheels and writing poetry. The whisky we make here is of wonderful quality, and being part of the team that creates it is fantastic. Meet some of the characters that give Ardbeg its own singularly unique character. Ian Henderson [Laphroaig manager at the time] asked me to be assistant brewer, and I went from there. In Port Ellen geboren, hatte er […]. I started odd-jobbing around the distillery at Laphroaig, and at the end of the first season I was sent out to the peat bogs to dig peats. Registered in England and Wales (Company No. A true gent! 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. Awards. Strength: 46% abv. Distillery: Ardbeg. 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. A bit of fencing, a bit of ditching, getting my hands dirty. Today, June 3 2017, is Ardbeg Day and a great time to share with you the greatness of Ardbeg and Distillery Manager Mickey Heads. According to Mickey Heads, Ardbeg distillery manager: “… any whiskyphile worth their malt will tell you, beer and whisky share the same DNA. We recently managed to grab a few minutes before a whisky tasting with Ardbeg distillery manager Mickey Heads. It’s fallen to me to tell you that Mickey Heads has decided that now is the time to hang up his hydrometer, and step down as our Distillery Manager. Michael “Mickey” Heads, an Islay native and former manager at Jura who had worked at Ardbeg years earlier, took over on March 12, 2007. 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. August 20 — 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. In October 2020, Mickey Heads will retire as Ardbeg Distillery Manager after 13 years in the role. Copyright © The Whisky Exchange 1999-2020 All Rights Reserved. Mickey Heads, Manager of the Ardbeg distillery will be celebrating 10 years of service on 2017/03/07. Please note that there might be minor scratches on the bottle/bottles labels, and packaging. Mickey Heads, who is the Chairman of the Ardbeg Committee, said: “Ardbeg Twenty One is a shining example of Ardbeg’s enduring spirit. This is big, bold and complex. Michael "Mickey" Heads, an Islay native and former manager at Jura who had worked at Ardbeg years earlier, took over on 12 March 2007. 08 March 2017 by Richard Woodard. 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. Born on Islay, Heads was appointed distillery manager in 2007, 10 years after Ardbeg was acquired by the Glenmorangie Company and re … Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. 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. Since March we have known that Ardbegs DistilleryManager Mickey Heads will retire this year (we reported). The distillery was reopened by Ed Dodson in 1997 and handed over to Stuart Thomson, who managed it from 1997 to 2006. Now Ardbeg is happy to announce the appointment of Mickey’s successor – Colin Gordon – who is joining as Distillery Production Manager. 4449145). 200 years down – hopefully many more to […], […] first tasting I went to was Mickey Heads and the launch of Ardbeg Almost There, which is still my favourite young Ardbeg. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! I said no, I’m not going to work in a distillery’, ‘I went on shift and did distillation and mashing. Meet some of the characters that give Ardbeg its own singularly unique character. This bottle has been signed by the one and only Mickey Heads Distillery Manager & Chairman of the Ardbeg Committee. We recently managed to grab a few minutes before a whisky tasting with Ardbeg distillery manager Mickey Heads. Ardbeg Perpetuum Distillery Release available to buy or sell at Whisky Auctioneer online scotch whisky auctions. Heads is an Islay native who is the current distillery manager. Registered Office: Elixir House, Whitby Avenue, Park Royal, London NW10 7SF, UK. 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. Here’s what he had to say about life on Islay. 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 said: “Shortie is a bona-fide Islay icon. Very deserving recipient of the Global Icon Visitor Centre Manager of the Year Award, World Whisky Awards 2013. I’m so pleased we can share it with our members. 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 … Fantasy dinner party companions would be Valentino, Charles Luciano, Charlies Darwin (Bill’s scientific hero), Michael Jackson or Prince and Kim Novac. Ardbeg has been celebrating on social media and has some special event planned to be announced shortly. Spent 10 years in the Royal Navy. In October this year, Mickey Heads will retire as supervisor after 13 years in the role. Thursday, 01 April 2010; Tonight a whisky related video with Michael Heads, distillery manager of Ardbeg distillery. A good interview for all the Ardbeg and Islay whisky enthusiasts. 13 Comments on In their own words – Mickey Heads, distillery manager, Ardbeg. Region: Islay. Here’s what he had to say about life on Islay. ‘I was born in Port Ellen too many years ago to mention’. I’m adding to what we’ve already done and looking to the future’, ‘I’ve heard someone describe what we do as being a caretaker, and that’s probably a good word for it. Interview with Micky Heads of Ardbeg. There’s no better way to celebrate Father’s Day than having the hound himself deliver your whisky. In truth, Mickey’s retirement only comes in part for now, as he’ll continue to be your Committee Chairman for the next three years. Used to present the Saturday football results on a Highland radio station. Mickey Heads. Ardbeg’s acclaimed outgoing Distillery manager, Michael (Mickey) Heads, has more than 30 years of experience in the whisky industry. In winter months, can often be found on the hills deer stalking. A couple of glorious Indian summer days, when the Corryvreckan whirlpool off Jura was reduced to a millpond and … Now Ardbeg is happy to announce the appointment of Mickey's successor - Colin Gordon - who is joining as Distillery Production Manager. 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. Just like brewers, we ferment our malt. If there are any further updates from the Distillery, I will of course be in touch. Mickey Heads said: “Being at the helm of Ardbeg for 13 years has been a great privilege. 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. With very best wishes from everyone at Ardbeg, Mickey Heads Committee Chairman He is being interviewed by The Drink Business Magazine. At the 2014 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Mickey Heads was voted ‘Distillery Manager of the Year’. 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. By Jesse Proulx on 2017-03-06 0. The story goes that during Ardbeg’s closure, the team at Laphroaig would trek down to Ardbeg to run the stills for just a couple weeks per year, just enough to not let the equipment rust and rot away. The Ardbeg Distillery has actually released a search for a new distillery manager. Once saw Elvis Presley climbing a tree outside a bar in Germany. You need to keep your signature, but just give a little something new that people can discuss and enjoy’, ‘2015 is our 200th anniversary: it’s going to be a busy year’, RT @WhiskyExchange: Today on the blog, we speak to @ardbeg_com distillery manager Mickey Heads about life on Islay – http://t.co/7ItfwMTPGd, In their own words – Mickey Heads, distillery manager, Ardbeg http://t.co/Y1E88R8Zuf http://t.co/ygFU7HSqT7, RT @Getthescotch: In their own words – Mickey Heads, distillery manager, Ardbeg http://t.co/Y1E88R8Zuf http://t.co/ygFU7HSqT7, […] Blog von The Whisky Exchange kommt Mickey Heads, der Distillery Manager bei Ardbeg, zu Wort. ‘1 October 1979: I remember that date. 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.” I met a friendly old boy at the 2014 Global Icons of whisky distillery! 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