Distillery: Ardbeg Distillery
Region: Port Ellen, Islay, Scotland
Aging: 10 Years
ABV: 50.2% ABV
Proof: 100.4 Proof
Mash Bill: 100% Islay Single Malt
Non-Chill Filtered: Yes
MSRP Price: $160
Ardbeg Heavy Vapours – 2023 Committee Release Tasting Notes
Appearance: Nearly clear with a hint of yellow
Nose: Peat, sweet sugar, earthy, dirt, vegetal, light fruits, mint
Palate: Peat, smoke, sweet sugar sweetness, vanilla, oak, light fruits, apricot, crisp apple, citrus zest, mint, chocolate, cinnamon spice
Finish: Smooth, rich finish with a nice oily mouthfeel – leaves you with a balanced peat and smoke finish but layered with sugar sweetness, vanilla, light fruits, hints of mint, and a lingering cinnamon pepper spice
Is Ardbeg Heavy Vapours an Approachable Whisky?
Ardbeg Heavy Vapours is a whisky for anyone who really loves Peaty Scotch.
While the flavors may be a bit bold for beginners to whisky and those who aren’t familiar with peaty Scotch, this could be a good one to have them try because it offers a nice smooth finish.
Is Ardbeg Heavy Vapours Complex?
Ardbeg Heavy Vapours has a lot of layers of flavor.
The nose is much more earthy, dirt, and vegetal than I tasted on the palate.
Once you take your first sip, you’re met with the signature blast of peat and smokiness Ardbeg is known for.
Layered below the peat and smoke is a nice sugary sweetness full of fruit, cinnamon spice, mintiness, and even some light chocolate notes.
The finish is smooth and much easier than you would expect and leaves you with a refreshing mint and cinnamon spice with a lovely mouthfeel.
What are Ardbeg Heavy Vapours’s strongest attributes/flavors?
Ardbeg Heavy Vapour’s strongest attribute is definitely its heavy peat and smokiness.
Ardbeg is known for this flavor profile, but the additional smoothness and layers of flavor are a nice addition to this limited-edition committee release.
Is Ardbeg Heavy Vapours a go-to whisky?
Ardbeg Heavy Vapours is a limited-release bottle so this is one that I reserve for special occasions.
I purchased the 2023 Committee Release which is a bit more rare and the more expensive edition of this bottle.
Is Ardbeg Heavy Vapours priced accurately to its quality?
Ardbeg Heavy Vapours offers a nicely balanced expression of your classic Ardbeg Peat flavor profile and adds a level of finesse to the whiskey experience with additional sweetness and depth of flavor than you’d get in cheaper editions of Ardbeg whisky.
While I appreciate the flavors, I don’t think I could justify the additional cost compared to other favorite Ardbeg bottles like my favorite Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Ardbeg Uigedeail.
Conclusion for Ardbeg Heavy Vapours – 2023 Committee Release
Ardbeg Heavy Vapours 2023 Committee Release is a delicious dram of whisky.
There isn’t really anything I can complain about and I like everything about this pour.
Is it worth the money?
For me, yes.
I am a big fan of Ardbeg Scotch Whisky overall and really enjoy trying all the new editions and twists they add to their limited-release bottles.
Is this bottle better than my favorite Ardbeg Corryvreckan?
It’s hard to say. This pour is crisp and clean, but I don’t know if I would choose this pour over the other.
All in all, I’m very glad I purchased this bottle and the nose really threw me for a loop until I took the first taste.
Once it hit my palate, it was much cleaner and refreshing than I expected.
Also, the box art is awesome.
Let Us Know What You Think
I hope you enjoyed this tasting experience with me.
If you decide to give this bottle a shot, please let me know on social media via Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Thanks for reading and cheers!
0 Comments