Ardbeg – Heavy Vapours (70cl, 46%)

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours is a limited-edition Islay single malt released in 2023, here in a 70cl bottle at 46% ABV. It was made without the purifier that normally sits on the still and returns heavy alcohols to it, and it matured in ex-bourbon casks. It is bottled at natural colour and without chill-filtration. The nose opens with rising smoke and some sweetness, then farmyard, old railway sleepers and tarred rope. With a little water, dark chocolate cream and smoked artichoke appear. On the palate come bittersweet notes, charcoal dust, cardamom, peppermint and coffee grounds, then dark chocolate, menthol and eucalyptus, aniseed, cinnamon pastry and antiseptic lozenges. The finish is long and strong.