Ardbeg – Heavy Vapours (70cl, 46%)

This is an Ardbeg single malt from Islay, a limited edition released in 2023. Unlike earlier releases, it was made without the distillery's purifier, a device on the still that catches heavy alcohols and returns them for further distillation. Without it, the heavier, phenolic alcohols come through from the middle of the run. The spirit then matured in ex-bourbon casks. It is bottled at 46% ABV, natural in colour and not chill-filtered, and is described as a robustly smoky whisky.