Ardbeg Homecoming & SMWS 33.132 (Ardbeg)

Ardbeg Homecoming 

Region: Islay

ABV: 56.1%

Price: £120.00

Released as a distillery exclusive to coincide with Ardbeg Day 2025, Ardbeg Homecoming was finished in rum casks and is available only at the Ardbeg Visitor Centre. The good news for anyone hoping to pick up a bottle is that, from what we’ve been told, there are enough available for it to remain on shelves for a while.

Nose

Initially very tight, with light peat smoke, tobacco, orange peel, and fresh earth, followed by a noticeable alcohol prickle. With air, it reveals notes of foam bananas, Toffee Pops, cloves, and ginger beer. While the cask influence is present, we’re struggling to find anything that distinctly screams “Ardbeg.” Even with patience, it doesn’t quite open up as much as we’d hoped. It just feels somewhat muted overall. 

Palate

Surprisingly bitter up front—think blood orange peel and black coffee. There’s a little ash, but it’s far from the smoky punch we associate with the distillery. The texture feels thinner than expected for the ABV. Pineapple, coconut and ginger notes develop mid palate, before giving way to allspice, and sweet chilli spice on the finish. It’s not especially complex and continues to feel more like a generic Islay than Ardbeg.

Nose (with water)

A dramatic improvement. Now we’re getting bacon Frazzles, dried porridge oats, honey roast ham, cashew nuts, and BBQ sauce. The smoke is more pronounced and this now feels like it belongs in the Ardbeg family.

Palate (with water)

The palate, however, takes a hit. It becomes noticeably spicier—gingerbread and that persistent sweet chilli spice dominate the finish. The mouthfeel is further diminished, becoming disappointingly watery for a dram of this strength. Some vanilla cupcakes and white sugar appear, but it’s not enough to balance out the other changes.

Conclusion

We tend to find rum cask finishes can be very hit or miss, and unfortunately Homecoming lands more in the “miss” column for us. The nose improves significantly with water, but the palate doesn’t hold up. Even without dilution the palate falls short. We’re glad we tried it, but wouldn’t rush to pour another. Saying that if you’re a fan of rum cask releases perhaps you’ll find more to enjoy here.

Score: 6.5/10

Value

At £120, this feels steep especially given the underwhelming performance. While the distillery exclusive nature might explain some of the markup, we’ve had better Ardbeg experiences for less. This one’s for collectors or completionists.

SMWS 33.132 (Ardbeg)

Region: Islay

ABV: 60.9%

Price: £350.00 (Auction)

33.132, titled “Beauty and the Beast,” is an 8 year old Ardbeg distilled in May 2007 and bottled in 2015. It was matured in a second-fill ex-Sherry cask and released with an outturn of 624 bottles. 

Nose

Initially tight and a bit closed, but to be fair, it’s the first pour from the bottle. As it opens up, there’s dry earth, honey, and smoked cheese. We’re getting notes of corn and maize, tar, and a touch of beef. A soft milk chocolate note sits underneath. On the second dram, the nose starts to open with crisp bread, miso, TCP, lime juice, burning logs, and a little peppery spice from the alcohol.

Palate

A lovely burst of caramel sweetness up front, quickly giving way to dry earth and a hint of bitterness. Tobacco, orange juice, ash, ginger cake, and cinnamon all follow. Despite its ABV, it doesn’t taste overly hot. The finish is medium in length, with a satisfying mouthfeel. The second fill sherry cask has added a nicely to the spirit character, without overpowering the distillery DNA. We suspected it would improve on the second dram, and it definitely does—more smoke, more ash and tar, but all still balanced by the sweetness.

Nose (with water)

Water brings out more earthiness along with candied necklaces and chocolate cake. There’s still a solid punch of smoke and peat. On the second dram, things shift again: more medicinal, with charred wood chips, beef jerky, cashew nuts, and cigarette ash.

Palate (with water)

The smoke, peat, and ash all amp up with water. There’s a touch of orange peel on the finish, plus some more sherry notes like prunes and raisins. On revisiting, we find lavender, musk, cola, and limeade all appearing. The finish is long, but the mouthfeel takes a slight hit with dilution. There’s also a bit of ginger spice on the finish that veers toward the distracting side.

Conclusion

This is a brilliant example of second-fill sherry working with, the spirit to create something more than the sum of its parts. It’s complex beyond its years, and just straight-up tasty.

Score: 8.5/10

Value

Undeniably expensive for an 8 year old whisky, but it’s one of our favourite Ardbegs we’ve tried, and we couldn’t resist picking up another bottle.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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