Ardbeg Heavy Vapours Committee Release is a limited-edition Islay single malt Scotch whisky, released by Ardbeg for Ardbeg Day 2023 at the Fèis Ìle festival. It was distilled without the purifier on Ardbeg’s spirit still, the first Ardbeg made that way, and bottled at 50.2% ABV, non-chill filtered. There is no age statement.

This is the Committee Release, bottled first and at higher strength for members of the Ardbeg Committee, the distillery’s fan club. A general release followed at 46%.

What the Purifier Does

Every other Ardbeg is distilled with a purifier fitted to the lyne arm of the spirit still. It sends the heaviest vapours back into the still for redistillation, which lightens the spirit and gives Ardbeg the fruit and sweetness beneath its smoke. You can read more on our Ardbeg 10 Year Old page.

For Heavy Vapours, Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, distilled a parcel of spirit with the purifier out of use. The heavy vapours went straight on to become spirit. The result is darker, oilier and more pungent, with the usual fruit pushed into the background.

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours Committee Release Tasting Notes

• Nose: Smoke with a heavy sweetness. Pungent and farmyard-like, with tar and creosote. With water, dark chocolate cream and a note of smoked artichoke.
• Palate: Bittersweet and dark. Ashy coal dust, cardamom, peppermint and coffee grounds, then dark chocolate and eucalyptus. Hints of aniseed, cinnamon and antiseptic lozenge.
• Finish: Long and bold, with an almost numbing intensity.

Planet Ardbeg

Ardbeg presented Heavy Vapours through a graphic novel by the artist Dilraj Mann, set in its “Planet Ardbeg” universe. In the story, Agent 46, based on Ardbeg visitor centre manager and Committee chair Jackie Thomson, searches for the missing purifier. The illustrations carry onto the label.

Who It Suits

Heavy Vapours suits collectors of Ardbeg Day releases and Committee bottlings, and Ardbeg drinkers curious to taste the distillery’s spirit without the purifier’s effect. Compare it with Ardbeg 10 to taste the difference the purifier makes.