For those who love peat, few distilleries command as much reverence as Ardbeg. Known for its bold, smoky character and fiercely loyal following, the distillery has released everything from high-powered modern experiments to legendary vintage expressions. Whether you’re seeking an intense, heavily peated dram or a rare, collectible release, there’s an Ardbeg for every level of enthusiast.
In this list, we explore five (or…16) distinct Ardbegs across a range of price points—each available now at The Whiskey Wash Shop. From the firestorm of Hypernova to the sherry-aged elegance of the 1967 Signatory Vintage, these bottles showcase the full spectrum of what Ardbeg has to offer.
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Ardbeg Hypernova
BUY NOW: $353
We begin at the more accessible end of the range with Ardbeg Hypernova.
Ardbeg Hypernova is one of the most heavily peated whiskies the distillery has ever released, with a phenol level exceeding 170 ppm. Launched in 2022 as an Ardbeg Committee exclusive, it builds on the Supernova series, pushing smoke intensity to new levels. Bottled at 51% ABV, it delivers strong notes of ash, medicinal peat, and tar, with underlying hints of dark chocolate, black pepper, and citrus. The finish is long and smoky, leaving lingering notes of charred oak and campfire embers.
Despite its extreme peat levels, Hypernova retains some complexity. Smoked citrus and espresso add depth, preventing it from being one-dimensional. As a limited release, it quickly became sought after by collectors, with bottles appearing on the secondary market at a premium. While it’s not for everyone, it’s a bold statement from Ardbeg, appealing to those who enjoy heavily peated whisky at its most intense.
Ardbeg 1975 30 Year Old Old & Rare Platinum Selection
BUY NOW: $2,235
Let’s step up the price range and take a closer look at this independently bottled Ardbeg.
Bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. in 2005 as part of their Old & Rare Platinum Selection, this whisky was distilled in 1975 and matured for 30 years in a single cask. With just 274 bottles produced, it’s a rare find for collectors.
The Old & Rare Platinum Selection is Douglas Laing & Co.’s premium range of limited-edition single malt and single grain whiskies, bottled at natural cask strength. Typically aged for 25 years or more, these whiskies are carefully selected from individual casks, with no chill filtration or added coloring, preserving their original character. Aimed at serious collectors, the series features well-aged expressions from some of Scotland’s most sought-after distilleries, including those that have since closed.
What makes this particular release even more intriguing is its connection to a pivotal moment in Ardbeg’s history. The whisky was distilled just one year after the distillery began using peated malt from Port Ellen, meaning there’s a strong possibility that Port Ellen-sourced barley was used in its production—an added draw for Port Ellen and Islay whisky enthusiasts alike.
Ardbeg 11 Bottle Collection with Planet Ardbeg Magazine
BUY NOW: $2,983
Stepping up in price once again, this curated collection offers exceptional value, providing a comprehensive selection of Ardbeg’s most sought-after Committee releases. This collection is ideal for new fans catching up on past releases or seasoned collectors filling gaps in their lineup.
This curated set includes:
- 8 Year Old For Discussion Committee Release
- Ardcore
- Ardcore Committee Release
- Arrrrrrrdbeg! Committee Release
- Fermutation Committee Release
- Heavy Vapours
- Heavy Vapours Committee Release
- Hypernova
- Scorch
- Scorch Committee Release
- Smoketrails
As an added bonus, the collection also includes the first edition of Planet Ardbeg, a graphic sci-fi anthology about the fictional Planet Ardbeg.
Ardbeg 1974 Provenance 1st Release
BUY NOW: $5,048
As the price climbs, so does the rarity. The Ardbeg Provenance series is among the most sought-after releases on the secondary market, with a legacy that speaks for itself.
The Ardbeg Provenance bottlings were released between 1997 and 2000 and have become legendary among Ardbeg fans, symbolizing the distillery’s revival after a turbulent 20th century.
During the latter half of the century, Ardbeg faced repeated closures and multiple changes in ownership, leaving its future uncertain. That changed in 1997 when Glenmorangie plc acquired the distillery, providing the stability and investment it desperately needed. The following year, Ardbeg opened its first visitors’ centre, and in 2000, it launched the Ardbeg Committee along with a 10 Year Old bottling, marking a new era.
This Ardbeg Provenance was distilled in 1974 and bottled in 1997—the same year as the Glenmorangie acquisition. Today, the Ardbeg Committee has grown to over 200,000 members, and the distillery continues to cultivate a dedicated following while producing some of Islay’s most celebrated single malts.
Ardbeg 1967 30 Year Old Signatory Vintage
BUY NOW: $9,190
Ardbeg Distillery on Islay is renowned for producing some of the most heavily peated single malts in the world—a claim that Bruichladdich’s Octomore has challenged in recent years. Nevertheless, Ardbeg’s dedication to peat is undeniable.
When Signatory Vintage bottled and released a series of well-aged, vintage Ardbegs, it provided whisky enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to explore a different side of the distillery.
This particular release, the Ardbeg 1967 30 Year Old, was matured in a dark Oloroso sherry butt before bottling. A departure from the distillery’s traditionally peat-forward style, this unique expression earned high praise, with Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun awarding it 93 points.
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Since this bottle’s release in the late 1990s, Ardbeg has incorporated more sherry casks into its limited expressions. However, when this whisky was distilled, the distillery was focused on meeting the surging demand for heavily peated whisky. This makes the 1967 30 Year Old a true rarity—an overlooked sherry cask hidden amidst the signature smoke.
For the dedicated collector with deep pockets, this is an enviable centerpiece worthy of any serious whisky collection.
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