Ardbeg HEAVY VAPOURS | Feis Ile 2023 Committee Release

Today we take a look at the Ardbeg Heavy Vapours - the 2023 Islay Festival release from Ardbeg.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 INTRO
01:04 INITIAL THOUGHTS
13:19 THE TASTING
16:55 EMOTIONALLY UNLOADING
WHISKEY SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY MACALLAN BOURBON IRISH RYE BLENDED TOP WHISKIES
"whiskey", "types of whiskey", "whiskey brands", "whiskey production", "whiskey history", "whiskey tasting notes", "whiskey recipes"

[@asiridesigns5344]

I think I'm preferring Laphroaig over Ardbeg these days. Apart from the chill filtering and caramel colorant, I feel like you can buy a Cairdeas or a cask strength batch and it never disappoints. Just an opinion!

[@MaltActivist]

Can't go wrong with a good Cairdeas

[@FEWGEE1]

I'm pretty sure Laphroaig only chill filters the 10 year old and Select.

[@forwork2601]

Chill filtering and artificial colouring are the best. Don’t hate it you haven’t tried it!

[@lukewo5067]

First video of yours I've watched. I enjoyed it. Keep up the good work

[@MaltActivist]

Welcome aboard!

[@jackthepickledhound]

Activist, you are the man with the plan. Keep doing your good work and we are on your side hoping for a big surprise someday out of Ardbeg. Not today. As a collector I would love to see the whole lineup on my shelf next to the Cairdeas. But my wallet is glad I didn't fall I to that sand trap. I like the subtle differences in the Laphroaigs and I think we expect to much from Ardbeg CRs, as the price would suggest. Young peat is going to be the dominant character. What intrigued me about the 10 year cask strength releases is that there is a bit of a difference even though everything on paper is the same.

[@MaltActivist]

So true about the Laphroaig 10CS series. Fundamentally the same yet each one has a nuance that is it's own

[@welshtoro3256]

Agree with all of that.

[@samaf2198]

Well, not really on paper. New label states non-chill filtered. Not so with some older bottlings

[@MOFOSGTFO]

I'm growing tired paying for Ardbeg's expensive CR releases that aren't that great. Ardcore CR was great but for 140-160 bucks I expect a phenomenal whisky.

[@MaltActivist]

I think we should expect phenomenal whiskies every time

[@GurkaranSingh87]

Brother speaks from the heart. Really appreciate it.

[@MaltActivist]

Thanks G! Appreciate it

[@cliffnorman178]

Really a great explanation 🤩👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@MaltActivist]

How are you Cliff?

[@cliffnorman178]

@@MaltActivist Really good thanks. Like you, I am an Ardbeg fan boy. However I have only ever bought two committee releases, but it was years ago. I am not sure what the "good doctor" is doing at the moment, but I am sure that it is not generating more Ardbeg fans. You take care. Looking forward to your next installment.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

You know Ardbeg has lost the plot when the Malt Activist is not happy with the last 2 Ardbeg reviews he's made. Oh well I'll try it if I come across it but long has gone the days of shelling out money just because it's Ardbeg. Cheers dude, thanks for all the info and entertainment!

[@christianriel8040]

For a oily and heavy scotch, The Classic Laddie (batch 21/073) had a lot of fusels (tails of distillation) notes. It's not my jam, the industrial and petroleum taste, but it's my recommandation for those who like this profile.

[@MaltActivist]

oh thanks -- will def have a look for that

[@blindtomuk]

I haven't bought a Committee release since Scorch (and I sold that after tasting it in a bar). Just fell out of love with the whole thing. The releases used to be great but now just seems to be a way of Ardbeg cashing in on expensive average at best whisky.

[@MaltActivist]

I actually didn't mind the Scorch. Since I go to the Festival every year I end up buying a bottle and enjoying it amid the festivities.

[@samaf2198]

Spot on. Just tried both versions at Ardbeg during Feis against the other standard expressions, 10, uggie, cory. In my opinion, heavy vapors cr fared the worst. Now we know, purifier or no, makes no difference. Thanks for the review

[@MaltActivist]

Yup, those are the findings. Tho maybe it helps with a certain level of balance in the spirit.

[@dextercool]

How would you rate it against Smoketrails? :)

[@MaltActivist]

I prefer the Smoketrails tbh

[@joshuacase2845]

Is it charred fish in nets? Or, charred nets holding fish? Or, fishnet stockings that have survived a house fire?

[@MaltActivist]

It's when you unload the fishnets after a long day at sea and you forget them in the boat house. And one day you leave a burning cigar on them as you're doing repairs on the engine. And the dry net acts as kindling and the next thing you know almost half of the net is on fire but you manage to put it out by dunking sea water on it - thanks to your trusty yellow fish bucket that just happened to be sitting there as you watched the inferno grow. And once all the chaos has died down and you go back to your boathouse after a few days and there is this smell lingering in the air reminding you about the time that you almost burnt your boathouse down. It's like that.

[@welshtoro3256]

I'm being a bit cheeky my friend and as a fella of humour I hope you appreciate it: "Waypers" - I love it 😆Actually, Horst Luening and many Germans have difficulty with the V as well. Unawailable, etc. My wife is a Spaniard but fluent in English and teaches English in England but, nevertheless, there's the odd mishap which I enjoy. The sounds of Y and J become interestingly merged. Needless to say my attempts at a second language are sheer abuse rather than amusement. WT 😁

[@MaltActivist]

haha I figured you would latch onto that!

[@alexx0108max98]

You are right. I liked it but maybe for like a $70 islay. This is my last CR. Laphroaig ftw

[@MaltActivist]

oh no!

[@welshtoro3256]

You have to continue to buy this annual release and review them in order for us, your viewers, to be able to rant into our computer screens and scream out why we don't buy this rip-off 💩 any more. The drinking strength is only 4% higher than the regular (£100) release too. It's the same deal year after year. Some stupid marketing story to make it sound interesting and justify the ridiculous price to it's loyal sucker/supporters. I just cracked my Laphroaig 10 CS (Batch 15) and, when I forget about the idiotic colouring, I'm getting everything I think it sounds like you want from this Ardbeg. Great review and some sharp analysis regarding refill casks. WT

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Hear, hear !!! 100 % agree....

[@jackthepickledhound]

Yes yes yes. Please continue

[@MaltActivist]

Cant go wrong with the Laphroaig CS series - but yeah, that pesky E150...

[@jackthepickledhound]

@@MaltActivist Laphroaig is the only one that gets a pass. The Oban little Bay is getting regifted today, as a matter of fact. In all it's 43% colored filtered glory

[@fuzzyreason]

At Ardbeg day, Feis Ile, I was excited to try Heavy Vapours, which was being freely poured all day by staff. After my first taste, I really struggled to enjoy this dram. It has a very astringent taste that was most unpleasant. I tried another one, just to check, and it didn't get any better. I really did not enjoy it at all. Hard to believe that they are promoting this as some kind of special bottle. In contrast, I tried the single cask amontillado release (11yrs old), which was superb - nutty, sweet, with a rich mouthfeel. However, at £495, not one to be a regular sipper.

[@MaltActivist]

Well, if you still didn't enjoy it after the third dram then I guess there's a problem....

[@bobsander4589]

Like you i get carried away and buy these ardbegs if i can negotiate their website on release day. Bought 2 of the Heavy Vapours so expect to hold and sell in years to come if prices escalate. If not, I'll get round to drinking one day.

[@MaltActivist]

I know what you mean, brother

[@stevenj3152]

I have far too many bottles of whisky that I haven't opened yet, due to the number I do have open, but I intend to open them all at some point...except perhaps this one. I decided a couple of years ago I wasn't buying another committee/limited edition Ardbeg for a while. After going through that experimental what does this one taste like phase, I enjoyed many but I wasn't sure if they really differed enough from the core Ardbeg profile to justify continuously spending that sort of money. Then I woke up after doing the nightshift making whisky the night before with the email in my inbox, thinking it would be sold out and to my surprise it was still available. Curiosity and FOMO got the better of me and there was the bank AI machine saying 'really - more whisky?'' This time though if I can power through my curious nature, that's not a given, I might just take that £128 with shipping and double it. I do need a car, I don't need to drink this. 5.5? Malt Activist that's not helping my deposit, you are supposed to be an Ardbeg fanboy :)

[@MaltActivist]

We all have our days, I guess...

[@reigningwhiskey]

I think this release was absolutely phenomenal. I don’t think Ardbeg will produce a CR I won’t try to hunt!

[@MaltActivist]

My review was more about --- why didn't you make this special?

[@INDYNOIR1]

I've bought everyone of these Committee releases for the last ten years. I liked the Ardcore more than most people but it was definitely overpriced as they just keep going up $$$$. I'm going to pass this year versus tracking down a few of these obviously overpriced bottles. Thanks for the honest review and lets hope a nasty recession will bring some integrity back to the whisky business.

[@prestonw3878]

What did you think of the Fermutation?

[@MaltActivist]

Cheers. Appreciate your kind words!

[@MaltActivist]

I've done a review if you're interested.

[@prestonw3878]

@MaltActivist I have watched your review on it. Love all your reviews they are amazing. I just love to hear people's opinion on the Fermutation 😜 personally I found it fantastic, I just love to hear why people don't like it lol.

[@Balkonwhisky]

Hello, I really tried to get a Bottle of this. I was at the Shop at the Right Time, i waited to get in, i placed my Order correctly and the Shop told me everything is fine and in a few Days i will get a Bottle of it. But after a few Minutes they canceled my Order without telling me the Reason why. I was very pi...d and wrote a Mail to get the Answer why they did it. But they never answerded my Mail. So i took my Money and bought another Bottle from another Distillery for the same Price. After watching different Videos about this Expression of Ardbegs Marketing Department i am very happy that i bought this Alternative. Its a great Bottling with Age and Full Information about it at the Label and it tastes really Great. I will (probably😅) never buy any Ardbeg again because of their Behavior and loss of Quality compared to the Price. Thanks for sharing your Thoughts and Opinion about it.

[@MaltActivist]

Thank you for stopping by!

[@simcoe-]

Yeah, glad I skipped this one. I haven't heard much praise and £120 is a pretty steep price. I'll be at the London Planet Ardbeg event in a few days and I'm sure I'll have the opportunity to try it myself but I'm way more interested in the BizarreBQ. @Malt Activist - are you going to land on Planet Ardbeg next weekend?

[@MaltActivist]

Unfortunately I won't be...

[@First-fill]

“ Charred fishnets “ mmmm , the mind boggles . 😅

[@MaltActivist]

haha you know what I mean!

[@First-fill]

@@MaltActivist yep…just teasing. Great review and fun aswell. 👍🤣

[@lesterdiamond12]

When I first read the mash bill/description of this expression; I thought I was sold on a CR for the first time in years. Thankfully I didn’t take the bait. Ardbeg isn’t even in my top 3 ( dare I say top 5 ) Islay distilleries anymore. Ardbeg 10 is their only saving grace.

[@MaltActivist]

gotta agree my man

[@Gametime41300]

This is stuff to hear

[@MaltActivist]

Cheers!

[@goldendawn7]

I actually got a lot of those flavors and aromas you didn't. Nose kinda reminded me of a funky rum. But I will say, I guessed way less age, like maybe 5 years.

[@MaltActivist]

I think it's a bit older than that tho

[@superodfx]

I know how you feel, it’s like when my wife won’t see reason! And I have to wear it 😢

[@MaltActivist]

Story of our lives

[@zyxiryxiciachmach1331]

i gave up on Ardbeg since their NFT bs ..

[@MaltActivist]

I think we need to rename NFT to Nice Fucking Try

[@lesterdiamond12]

Took the words out of my mouth!

[@nredman]

Once the special releases got over 100 i stopped buying them. I did enjoy Dark Cove, Drum and Blaaack. I will stick to Laphroaig Cairdeas.

[@MaltActivist]

Fair enough!

[@MrMonkfiish]

Ard Beg 10 is great but i'll leave the rest of their range, too pricey!

[@MaltActivist]

True...

[@user-sm5mc9xq4i]

Yes, do not be sad, you need to go to the gas station to buy a liter of diesel fuel there and mix half of this whiskey with half a liter of diesel in some empty bottle from under the Ardbeg at home.. And make a new test of your own release from Ardbeg!😂

[@MaltActivist]

haha that sounds like a plan

[@user-sm5mc9xq4i]

This test is Whiskey with diesel..😅

[@MaltActivist]

haha correct

[@whiskytotal]

So the guy from Ardbeg doesn't like this fabulous whisky?! They didn't give you a t-shirt or a pen this time...🤣🤣🤣🤣 Don't worry next year it will be worse..

[@peterfinucane8122]

If it was that good, they would have repeated it. Pun intended too.

[@MaltActivist]

nice...

[@russell3733]

With so-called "heavy vapours" merrily making their way across the lyne arm and falling slap bang directly down into the condenser you'd imagine the whisky would have to have a genuinely viscous mouthfeel, and be truly mouth-coating, feeling thicker and obviously more oily than its siblings from the core range. Pity none of that appears in the bottling. But it's not really a surprise, is it? I'm just sorry that you, as a regular reviewer of Ardbeg bottlings, have to go through the motions, buy the stuff and give it a review online. There's so much other whisky on the market which would please so much more for 100 GBP than this. I'm content to enjoy Ardbeg's excellent core range - especially the 10yo - and ignore the special bottlings, which are, more often than not, misnomers. Cheers.

[@MaltActivist]

Thank you for feeling my pain

[@welshtoro3256]

I've made this point over the past few years. The whisky industry is up to its eyeballs in trouble finding decent casks. There's just not enough good casks out there and whisky is being aged in all sorts of iffy stuff now. It doesn't matter what you do with the spirit, if you age it in a knackered cask you wont have impressive results. Not long ago I had a 24 year Benrinnes and it tasted like a 5 year old whisky. The wood must have been dead and should have been used in a blended NAS.

[@olivierbeltrami]

I think that Ardbeg needs to stop the 10yo, so that all the other expressions, particularly the CR, stand a chance.

[@MaltActivist]

facts

[@wevegraysquaw7855]

esteristic....esterlicious?

[@MaltActivist]

I like esterlicious - going to use that in the next vid

[@stingfan24]

Ardbeg has been disappointing for years now. The only Ardbeg worth getting is the standard 10. For real oily, thick mouthfeel peat bomb, I always go Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength.

[@lesterdiamond12]

Spot on.

[@MaltActivist]

Gotta agree with you on that

[@alfocrown]

no hard feeling and disappointment if you got no expectations for Ardbeg, let the investors and collectors go after this garbage I will just lowkey stay with core range and searching for dusty old core range on shelf.

[@MaltActivist]

I agree

[@welshtoro3256]

The big fella loves this distillery though. I mean he really loves it. We can enjoy lots of future disappointments through him.

[@jackdeedman5344]

Another Ardbeg cash grab! What a shocker!

[@MaltActivist]

oh well....

[@Mark_R_]

It's been all downhill since Dark Cove. I feel ripped off by Heavy Vapours. Last Ardbeg I buy for quite some time. I WAS a total fanboi, until round about.......now. Style over substance, shame on them.

[@MaltActivist]

Well, I quite like the BizarreBQ. I thought Smoketrails was quite decent.