It’s that time of year again, Feis Ile, the Islay Festival of Music and Malt, where whisky fans from around the globe unite in celebration. And as tradition dictates, Ardbeg saves the best for last. For over two decades, Ardbeg has welcomed fans to its distillery for the final day of the festival, Ardbeg Day, inviting Ardbeggians worldwide to raise a glass and join the festivities, whether on Islay or beyond.
On May 31st, Ardbeg Day 2025 kicked off in interstellar style as whisky lovers gathered to explore an otherworldly new expression: Ardbeg Smokiverse. We were thrilled to join the cosmic adventure and step into this year’s bold new whisky realm, crafted using a groundbreaking High Gravity Mashing technique. This limited edition release marks a milestone moment in Ardbeg’s experimental journey and celebrates 25 years of the Ardbeg Committee.
The day began with a guided tasting led by National Brand Ambassador Travis Tidwell, offering guests a firsthand dive into the intense, fruity profile of Smokiverse. We swirled, sniffed, and savored as Travis shared insight into the distillation process that made this year’s bottling so unique. From there, the celebration moved into full throttle with a festive street fair and bar-hopping tour featuring specialty cocktails built on Ardbeg’s signature smoky character.
At the heart of Smokiverse is Ardbeg’s mighty mash tun, the very engine room of the distillery. This year, that mash tun powered the creation of a whisky on an entirely new wavelength. By increasing the amount of grist (grain that is ground up) and reducing the water content during mashing, the distillers produced a sugar-rich wort, unlocking a vibrant spectrum of flavors.
The result? A whisky that defies gravity. Ardbeg Smokiverse bursts with deep fruit notes and cosmic complexity. Expect swirling aromas of muscovado sugar, toasted sourdough, and ripening barley, orbiting with smoky hints of tropical fruit. On the palate, a powerful, creamy mouthfeel gives way to rich, layered sweetness and intense peat.
Ardbeg Smokiverse is now available for purchase in the UK, marking another thrilling chapter in it’s legacy of fearless flavor. Whether you were on Islay or toasting from afar, Ardbeg Day 2025 was a space-aged celebration of tradition, innovation, and the fiery spirit that fuels this whisky’s cult following.
