Ardbeg Day is a global celebration of all things Ardbeg, held annually on the last Saturday of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt, Fèis Ìle. Marking 25 years of the Ardbeg Committee, this year’s festivities on Saturday, May 31st are set to be out of this world. At the Distillery and across the globe, Ardbeg will transport smoky malt lovers’ tastebuds to a fruity new dimension, with Ardbeg Smokiverse. This limited edition will be the Islay Distillery’s first whisky crafted from a high-gravity mash, resulting in a distinctly vibrant, tropical and fruity spirit.
Ardbeg’s Whisky Creation Team began experimenting some years ago with the mashing process, in which malted barley is converted into fermentable sugars. One of their experiments involved reducing the amount of water used in the packed mash tun. This unconventional “high-gravity” mash magnified the intensity of flavor-active compounds known as acetate esters, leading to a fruitier, more tropical spirit. Aged in bourbon casks, this Ardbeg whisky unveils layers of muscovado sugar, ripe barley, and toasted sourdough bread, all culminating in a burst of ripe tropical fruits and sweet peat.
Dr. Bill Lumsden MBE, 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 flavor. By ramping up the density of our wort to new heights, we’ve drawn in fruitier, sweeter flavors from the deepest corners of the mash tun. Upon first sip, you can expect a vibrant burst of fruity, ester notes, rather like smoked bubble gum, along with aromas of barley. Then peaty notes collide with juicy, tropical fruits, before sinking into a rich depth of muscovado sugar.”
Jackie Thomson, Ardbeg Distillery Visitor Centre Manager and Ardbeg Committee Chair, said: “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. 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.”
Ardbeg Smokiverse will be available to buy in the U.S. at whiskey specialists beginning May 15th, with a pre-sale launching on Reservebar.com in the days leading up to May 15th.
Ardbeg Committee members will be the first to receive the pre-sale link.
For more news on Ardbeg Day 2025 and all things Ardbeg, smoky malt whisky fans can join the Ardbeg Committee at ardbeg.com/en-gb/committee
