Ardbeg Heavy Vapours Whisky 70cl

Scotch Whisky • 70cl • 46%
Product details
Ardbeg Heavy Vapours
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Country Scotch Whisky
Region Islay Whisky
Distillery/Brand Ardbeg
Style Single Malt Whisky

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours

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.

Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt

Nose 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.

Palate 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.

Finish Old coffee, more chocolate, smouldering wood, and minty herbs.

Allergy information

This product does not contain any notifiable allergens
More allergen information



Reviews for Ardbeg Heavy Vapours
Good whiskey
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.
Samuel M , United Kingdom
2 months ago
Excellent 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.
Karl , United Kingdom
7 months ago
Incredible
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!
Chuck , Finland
one year ago
Hate to say it
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
Clay , United States
one year ago
Grabs you by surprise
This is another phenomenal limited release from Dr. Lumsden. I’ve bought it after reading all the bad reviews and thought it couldn’t be. No, this is not an Ardbeg 1977 BUT it bears its name and shares a component: a really long finish. Ash and smoke that sticks in your mouth for hours and some dark chocolate that lingers on your tongue forever. This is definitely a mixed Ardbeg blend with older years in the making; yes there are some younger (8-9 year old) thing in there but there is definitely much older than 13-14 years in that batch as the mouth feel is so complex, the arrival very smooth and the finish lingering. Is it the best bang for your buck? No, get the Uigaedail! But is it worth it as a one off? Absolutely!!
Allan A , Canada
one year ago
Ardbeg gimmick
A vapour of shite
Darren Jin Aik H , Malaysia
one year ago
Heavy Vapours
The peat is subdued, the dram is quite fruity. Altogether, not the best Ardbeg, but definitely not the worst.
Master of Malt Customer
one year ago
Downfall of Ardbeg
As someone who has previously loved Ardbeg, this bottling is an example of a distillery heading in the wrong direction. Young whisky with Gimmicky names and labels aimed at sucking people into paying a high price for a half assed dram. This is not one for people looking for excitement or complexity.
Scott B , United Kingdom
one year ago
👍
Really nice drink 👍
Paul , United Kingdom
one year ago
Shocked how poor this bottling is.
Been collecting Ardbeg day releases since Ardbog. This without doubt is the worst they ever released. Half arsed, young and truly terrible. It’s not even remotely interesting as a dram. Shame
Master of Malt Customer
one year ago