Ardbeg Haar Gadget Makes “Scotch Mist” Out Of Your Whisky

The Ardbeg distillery, getting ready to release its Perpetuum whisky at the upcoming Ardbeg Day, also apparently has a new toy on its hands designed to simulate out of whisky vapor the cold fog typically associated with its isle of Islay location in Scotland. I’m not sure exactly if consumers can get a hold of this at this point, but I would certainly line up to buy one so I can entertain my party guests with the Ardbeg Haar.

The Ardbeg Haar is described as a “high tech carafe that utilises ultrasound pads that emit rapid vibrations, producing micro droplets which form the Haar mist.” Haar is the Scottish word for “a cold fog which sweeps in from the sea without warning, often enveloping Islay and the distillery which clings to its coastline.”

Now what’s particularly interesting about this whisky gadget, according to Imbibe, is that it is actually making a scotch mist by turning whisky into vapor without heating it. It does this apparently through the sound waves (vibrations as mentioned above), and what results in the mist form is something that, however you take it in (it is said to be something you can imbibe), “does really carry some of Ardbeg’s characteristic aromas and flavours.”

The device, developed in collaboration with “Harvard Professor and inventor David Edwards and Le Laboratoire, the Parisian contemporary art and design centre,” is already available at several locations across the United Kingdom for drinkers to experience. These include Hakkassan Mayfair in London, Hawksmoor in Manchester and Tigerlily in Edinburgh.

“The haar rolling in from the sea is as familiar sight to island life as the precious peat which influences our whiskies, ” said  Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation at Ardbeg, in a statement. “We believe that in this sampling ritual we have captured the essence of its elusive qualities.  The swirling mist will intrigue, immersing people in the aromas, tastes and textures of The Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky.”

You can see a little more about how the Ardbeg Haar operates via the video below, which I found on the Ardbeg Taiwan website.