Legendary Islay distillery Ardbeg will mark the 25th anniversary of its Ardbeg Committee with a groundbreaking new whisky expression during its annual global celebration. Ardbeg Day, held on May 31 during Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt, Fèis Ìle, will feature the release of Ardbeg Smokiverse, the distillery’s first whisky crafted using an innovative high-gravity mashing technique.
The limited edition expression represents a significant departure from traditional Ardbeg production methods, achieving distinctly tropical and fruity characteristics while maintaining the brand’s signature smoky profile.
Innovative Production Method
Ardbeg’s Whisky Creation Team developed Smokiverse through experimentation with the mashing process, reducing water content in the mash tun to create what the distillery terms a “high-gravity” mash. This unconventional approach intensifies flavor-active compounds called acetate esters, resulting in a spirit with pronounced tropical fruit characteristics. The whisky is then matured in ex-bourbon casks.
Dr. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, said: “The first whisky we have ever made with a high-gravity mash, Ardbeg Smokiverse takes our single malt’s classic peaty character to a new frontier of flavour. By ramping up the density of our wort to new heights, we’ve drawn in fruitier, sweeter flavours from the deepest corners of the mash tun.”
“Upon first sip, you can expect a vibrant burst of fruity, ester notes, rather like smoked bubblegum, along with aromas of barley. Then peaty notes collide with juicy, tropical fruits, before sinking into a rich depth of muscovado sugar,” Lumsden added.
Fèis Ìle Celebrations
The distillery will host space-themed events at its Islay home and at Ardbeg embassies to celebrate the release. Activities will include cosmic games, space-themed cocktails, whisky tastings, and food pairings.
Jackie Thomson, Ardbeg Distillery Visitor Centre Manager and Ardbeg Committee Chair, emphasized the global nature of the celebration. “We’re inviting whisky fans from all corners of the world to join us – both at the Distillery, the beating heart of the Smokiverse, and beyond – to celebrate Ardbeg Day,” Thomson said.
“We’re thrilled to share this whisky with smoky-malt lovers everywhere and send their tastebuds into overdrive with the release of this extraordinary new expression,” she added.
Ardbeg Smokiverse will be available exclusively through Ardbeg.com and official Ardbeg embassies from May 28-30, before wider release through whisky specialists and online retailers beginning May 31. The expression carries a recommended retail price of £93.
Whisky enthusiasts interested in Ardbeg Day celebrations can join the Ardbeg Committee through the distillery’s website for additional information and access to exclusive releases.
Fèis Ìle begins on May 23rd, 2025, and ends on May 31st with the Ardbeg Day celebrations.
Ardberg Smokiverse Tasting Notes
ABV: 48.3%
Colour: Bright Gold
Aroma: A burst of fruity, ester notes, almost like smoked bubblegum, along with a beautiful aroma of ripening barley and toasted sourdough bread. With water, more of the smoke notes appear, but in this instance the peat smoke is very sweet and aromatic, almost reminiscent of juicy tropical fruits which have been gently smoked.
Taste: A rich, creamy texture is followed by some sharp sooty and spicy notes, like tar, creosote, aniseed and clove, but these are tempered with a distinctive sweetness, like muscovado sugar. There are some structured, woody notes, like sweet oak and leather.
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Finish: Some earthy peat moss, bonfire embers and charcoal.
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