Ardbeg has announced the 2025 edition of its annual Ardbeg Day bottling. The event is held on the last Saturday of Fèis Ìle, Islay's music and whisky festival, and this year will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ardbeg Committee.
With the new bottling, Ardbeg Smokiverse, the distillery says it will take malt fans to a "fruity new dimension". It is the first whisky from Ardbeg created using a "high-gravity mash".
To make the "high-gravity mash", Ardbeg's whisky creation team experimented with reducing the amount of water used in the mash tun to enhance the intensity of acetate esters, resulting in more tropical fruit flavours. The whisky distilled from this mash was then aged in bourbon casks.
Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s director of whisky creation, explained: “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.”
The 'Smokiverse' theme will be upheld for this year's Ardbeg Day, which falls on 31 May 2025. At the distillery, Ardbeg Committee members and guests will be able to experience space-theme games and cocktails, whisky tastings, and "smoky bites".
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 (48.3% ABV, RRP £93) will be available exclusively from Ardbeg's website and outlets from 28–30 May, with a wider release to specialist retailers from 31 May.
