Ardbeg – Heavy Vapours Edition 2023 (70cl, 46%)

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours is an Islay single malt released in June 2023 as a limited edition, in a 70cl bottle at 46%. For the first time Ardbeg left out the purifier during distillation, the filter above the still that normally removes the heavy vapours. Without it, those smoky vapours pass into the spirit, giving a noticeably more peaty whisky with floral and fruity notes alongside the smoke. The nose shows rising smoke with a sweet note, spice, a hint of tar, dark chocolate and smoked artichokes. The palate brings bittersweet notes, peat smoke and cardamom, with aniseed, cinnamon pastry and peppermint.