A fascinating one from Ardbeg, Heavy Vapours is the Islay distillery's whisky with the gloves taken off. Meaning it was distilled without using Ardbeg’s purifier. Typically, vapours that rise up the still are captured by this piece of equipment, which sits on the lyne arm of Ardbeg’s spirit still. It captures heavier compounds and condenses them, causing them to fall back into the still. The vapours fall back into the still, are heated again, and so rise again. This purifying process is said to bring a floral fruitiness that balances the spirit's powerful peat, but that's been avoided here to bring a more full-throttle Ardbeg whisky, which was bottled without chill-filtration at 46% ABV.
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It's so deep and earthy Alice might think it's a route into Wonderland. There's smouldering soil and rock pool salinity (almost bordering on chlorine), as well as a minty/eucalyptus quality that develops into After Eight mints. Cardamom follows, as well as sweetness from tinned peaches and treacle, as well as a strange funkiness akin to Gruyère. Interesting stuff.
You would think Ardbeg without the purifier would come out punching, but this is a more relaxed intensity. Thick ashy smoke drifts through a palate rich with dark chocolate, apples, charred honeyed meat, and a little cumin.
Old coffee, more chocolate, smouldering wood, and minty herbs.
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I have had the 10 year old and Uigeadail and there is a Corryvrechan waiting in the cupboard for me to finish the Heavy Vapours which will not take long. There is loads of iodine on the nose, a lot of body in the mouth and initially there is an earthiness but the finish is pleasantly sweet with some tarry notes. Maybe some peppermint but I cannot find the dark chocolate, aniseed and cinnamon. One I would consider buying again when there is sale on as the price point is the only downside.
Judging by the comments on MoM this whiskey really is dividing opinion. I'm in the 'shit, this is great' side of the divide. 100+£ is a lot of money, but if you you're willing to pay that, you're willing to try something unusual. This is unusual. Good Dram.
I'm no expert but have been enjoying Islay whisky for a number of years now. I can't figure out the bad reviews. Although we normally stick to bottles with a lower price tag we bought this as a treat and are not disappointed. Absolutely delicious, moreish and well worth the money, I just wish I could afford to drink £100 bottles of Whisky all the time.
Personally, I thought this was one of the best peaty/smoky scotch whiskies I've ever tasted. It's not for everyone... or for the faint of heart. Complex, oily, medicinal, hints of pine tar, iodine... it's unusual and wonderful!
The soul seems gone, not a connoisseur or an expert. I'll just say it seems like more energy went into the packaging than the whiskey. Been enjoying the distillery since 2006 and at this point might as well keep with the ten year and there is no shame in that
