Enter the Smokiverse: Ardbeg’s New Limited Edition Launches for Ardbeg Day 2025
Ardbeg Smokiverse, a limited-edition release crafted in celebration of Ardbeg Day 2025
Islay’s cult whisky brand Ardbeg has announced the launch of its boldest dram yet: Ardbeg Smokiverse, a limited-edition release crafted in celebration of Ardbeg Day 2025, taking place Saturday 31st May at the close of Feis Ìle, Islay’s globally renowned Festival of Music and Malt.
Known for producing the peatiest, smokiest, most complex single malts on Islay, Ardbeg has never been shy of pushing flavour boundaries. But this time, the distillery’s Whisky Creation Team, led by Dr Bill Lumsden MBE, has gone galactic. Smokiverse is the brand’s first whisky created using high-gravity mashing—a process that intensifies the flavours by reducing the water used in the mash tun. The result? A new frontier of flavour bursting with ripe barley, toasted sourdough, muscovado sugar and, in a twist for Ardbeg, lush tropical fruits. Think smoked bubblegum, bonfire embers and a sweet, juicy finish.
Dr Bill Lumsden MBE, Director of Whisky Creation at Ardbeg, calls it “Ardbeg—but not as you know it.”
Matured in bourbon casks and bottled at 48.3% ABV, this vibrant dram still brings the signature sweet smoke that has made Ardbeg a cult icon. For those who love their whisky rich, peaty and paradoxically sweet, Smokiverse is a thrilling addition to the Ardbeg universe.
Dr Bill Lumsden MBE, Ardbeg's Director of Whisky Creation, says: “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.”
“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 Distillery on Islay is well worth a visit for die-hard fans and newcomers to the island’s peatiest, smokiest whisy
To mark the release, the distillery is inviting fans—aka the Ardbeg Committee, which now boasts over 200,000 members in 140 countries—to step into the Smokiverse. On Islay and around the world, expect space-themed celebrations, cosmic cocktails, smoky bites and tastings of this out-of-this-world dram.
Jackie Thomson, Ardbeg’s Visitor Centre Manager and Chair of the Committee, says:
“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.”
Ardbeg Smokiverse will be available with an RRP of £93:
• 28th–30th May: Exclusively via Ardbeg.com and Ardbeg Embassies
• From 31st May: Wider release to the general public
Whether you're a long-time Committee Member or new to Islay malts, now is the time to join the smoky side.
What is High-Gravity Mashing?
Ardbeg’s Whisky Creation Team is known for its experimental edge, and high-gravity mashing is the latest technique to land on Islay. In whisky-making, “gravity” refers to the concentration of sugars in the wort (the liquid extracted from the mash). High-gravity mashing involves using less water, which results in a thicker, more sugar-rich wort—and ultimately, a more intense and characterful spirit. The payoff? Bigger flavours, bolder mouthfeel, and a more dramatic dram.
Inside the Cult of Ardbeg
Ardbeg isn’t just a whisky—it’s a way of life for its devoted global following. Since the formation of the Ardbeg Committee in 2000, this smoky single malt has attracted a fiercely loyal fanbase, known for queuing overnight for limited releases and turning up in Ardbeg-branded space suits (yes, really). With over 200,000 members across 140 countries, the Committee is a true whisky phenomenon. Membership is free and open to all, but be warned: one sip and you may never look back.