Islay distillery Ardbeg has announced a limited edition single malt whisky, with accompanying graphic novel, to celebrate its titular Ardbeg Day on June 3.
The new release, Ardbeg Heavy Vapours, is the first time ever that Ardbeg has distilled its whisky without a purifier, allowing the heaviest vapours to rise up the still during the distillation process. It says this results in a unique balance between extreme peat and floral fruitiness.
To accompany the release, there’s a graphic novel by artist and illustrator Dilraj Mann. This latest edition to Ardbeg’s graphic novel universe, Planet Ardbeg, follows Agent 46, an interplanetary detective charged with locating the errant purifier, in order to restore Ardbeg’s signature balance.
This experimental Islay single malt scotch whisky, created by resident Director of Whisky Dr Bill Lumsden, is matured in classic Ardbeg casks, and the resulting flavour profile, is said to be defined by a distinctive earthiness, dark chocolate, aniseed and cinnamon. It’s a captivating dram, says Lumsden.
Bottled at 46% ABV, Heavy Vapours will be available to purchase from various whisky specialists, including The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt, for £120 from May 23.
The flavour profile is said to be defined by a distinctive earthiness, dark chocolate, aniseed and cinnamon,,.
The new release is the centrepiece of this year’s Ardbeg Day on June 3, a celebration of all things Ardbeg held annually on the last Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt, Fèis Ìle.
This year, festivities will include a noir detective themed celebration in London. Guests will be tasked with finding the lost purifier, all while enjoying the smoky, earthy flavours of Heavy Vapours.
The original Planet Ardbeg is a 40-page sci-fi anthology, conceived by New York cartoonist Ronald Wimberly in collaboration with fellow artists Emma Ríos and Sanford Greene. The publication relates the origin stories of three Ardbeg expressions: Ardbeg Ten Years Old, Ardbeg An Oa, and Ardbeg Wee Beastie.
For members of the Ardbeg committee, a Heavy Vapour Committee Exclusive is available to purchase online. This exclusive edition is bottled non-chill-filtered at 50.2% ABV, again priced at £120.
Two new exclusive bottlings have been released by The Whisky Exchange, offering dram-fans a chance to explore contrasting whisky styles from Ireland and Japan – one is a 20-year-old Redbreast, matured in Oloroso sherry casks, the other a single-cask Mars Komagatake, the latest entries in its Sumo Series. The Redbreast offers mature pot still character,…
Midleton Distillery has confirmed the arrival of its Midleton Very Rare 2026 Vintage, the latest edition in an Irish whiskey series now into its 43rd annual incarnation, and the 6th Vintage under the careful watch of Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman. Bottled at 40% ABV, the 2026 expression continues a tradition that sees the distillery’s Master…
Diplomático Rum, the Venezuelan super-premium spirits house, has announced the UK launch of Chancellor. Positioned as a flagship expression for connoisseurs and long-term collectors of rare spirits, fewer than 1,000 individually numbered bottles will be released worldwide. Diplomático Rum, founded in 1959, has built its reputation on blending expertise, heavy pot-still distillates and long-term maturation,…
The Luxe Review 
Islay distillery Ardbeg has announced a limited edition single malt whisky, with accompanying graphic novel, to celebrate its titular Ardbeg Day on June 3.
The new release, Ardbeg Heavy Vapours, is the first time ever that Ardbeg has distilled its whisky without a purifier, allowing the heaviest vapours to rise up the still during the distillation process. It says this results in a unique balance between extreme peat and floral fruitiness.
To accompany the release, there’s a graphic novel by artist and illustrator Dilraj Mann. This latest edition to Ardbeg’s graphic novel universe, Planet Ardbeg, follows Agent 46, an interplanetary detective charged with locating the errant purifier, in order to restore Ardbeg’s signature balance.
This experimental Islay single malt scotch whisky, created by resident Director of Whisky Dr Bill Lumsden, is matured in classic Ardbeg casks, and the resulting flavour profile, is said to be defined by a distinctive earthiness, dark chocolate, aniseed and cinnamon. It’s a captivating dram, says Lumsden.
Bottled at 46% ABV, Heavy Vapours will be available to purchase from various whisky specialists, including The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt, for £120 from May 23.
The new release is the centrepiece of this year’s Ardbeg Day on June 3, a celebration of all things Ardbeg held annually on the last Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt, Fèis Ìle.
This year, festivities will include a noir detective themed celebration in London. Guests will be tasked with finding the lost purifier, all while enjoying the smoky, earthy flavours of Heavy Vapours.
The original Planet Ardbeg is a 40-page sci-fi anthology, conceived by New York cartoonist Ronald Wimberly in collaboration with fellow artists Emma Ríos and Sanford Greene. The publication relates the origin stories of three Ardbeg expressions: Ardbeg Ten Years Old, Ardbeg An Oa, and Ardbeg Wee Beastie.
For members of the Ardbeg committee, a Heavy Vapour Committee Exclusive is available to purchase online. This exclusive edition is bottled non-chill-filtered at 50.2% ABV, again priced at £120.
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Two new exclusive bottlings have been released by The Whisky Exchange, offering dram-fans a chance to explore contrasting whisky styles from Ireland and Japan – one is a 20-year-old Redbreast, matured in Oloroso sherry casks, the other a single-cask Mars Komagatake, the latest entries in its Sumo Series. The Redbreast offers mature pot still character,…
Midleton Very Rare 2026 Vintage Irish Whiskey has arrived, run don’t walk to secure yours
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Diplomático Rum, the Venezuelan super-premium spirits house, has announced the UK launch of Chancellor. Positioned as a flagship expression for connoisseurs and long-term collectors of rare spirits, fewer than 1,000 individually numbered bottles will be released worldwide. Diplomático Rum, founded in 1959, has built its reputation on blending expertise, heavy pot-still distillates and long-term maturation,…
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