Ardbeg Heavy Vapours Committee Release

As I've been mentioning lately, Ardbeg's recent limited releases are unpredictable. They've created some exceptional, stunning whiskies, along with other dull, disappointing expressions. This has drawn significant criticism for overly marketed bottlings that didn't fulfill their promise. This year, Ardbeg launched two very different whiskies: one was the fantastic "BizarreBQ" that nearly everyone I know seemed to enjoy; and also this one, the pricier option, the official committee release for 2023, named "Heavy Vapours". The background story is that Dr. Lumdsen removed one of the purifiers from one of the stills, altering the vapor density that condenses into Ardbeg's signature spirit. Naturally, the label claims this will result in the most "full blown" Ardbeg ever produced... Bottled at 50.2% ABV. On the nose, it begins with Ardbeg's characteristic herbal peat. Notes of moss and grapefruit juice. It resembles a fresh can of new tennis balls, with faint ashes. It presents a "hairy" sensation on the nose. There's a moldy smell, like on a wall. On the palate, I detect vanilla ice cream, herbal notes, and ashes. It's very smooth and slightly yeasty; nothing heavy or full-blown is present here. The aftertaste is the highlight. It's reminiscent of a pair of cotton socks, very herbal. Elegant, pleasant, and friendly on the palate (I'm not sure if that's what I seek in an Ardbeg). It's dry. It actually feels like licking the condensation from the top of a cooking pot; that feeling is quite real. Notes of cotton shirts and tennis balls. Overall, I don't believe this is the worst Ardbeg ever, nor the best. It's a very average, uninspiring whisky that many will likely appreciate without significant issues. It's a decent whisky that doesn't meet the expectations for a committee release, and that's an issue. My rating for it is a very honest 88 out of 100, making it an enjoyable drink that I will soon forget.

The initial observation was how exceptionally light in color this whiskey is. Nearly transparent with a hint of yellow. The aroma consists of toasted oak and charcoal. On the palate, I first encounter vanilla, chocolate, coconut, and cherry, which then transitions to tobacco leaf, oak, cigar, campfire smoke, and bitter ash. The name "heavy vapors" is fitting, not due to the vapors rising from the whiskey in the glass, but rather the sensation felt when exhaling after a sip.

Without the purifier, significant coal and dark chocolate notes emerged. Nose: Dark Chocolate, Peppermint, Chili Peppers, Smoke, Coal, Iodine, Watermelons, Cinnamon, Cloves, Grilled Pineapples Palate: Smoke, Mackerels, Dark Chocolate, Coal, Blood Oranges, Beef, Ashes, Prunes, Burnt Caramel, Apricots Finish: Chocolate Oranges, Ashes, Iodine, Coal, Caramel, Pears, Raisins

I love Ardbeg, but found this one quite bitter for my taste, lacking the alluring sweetness of Corry or Uigeadail.

The aroma is intensely peaty. Licorice is present on the palate. The finish is marked by a strong burn and ashiness. It's quite nice.

I really enjoy this one - perhaps the non-committee release is superior?