Ardbeg Kelpie (2017 Committee Release)

An intense, Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Islay matured in casks made from virgin Black Sea oak & more traditional bourbon casks. It has an intense & aromatic birth with notes of oily peat, dark chocolate, smoked fish, hints of seaweed, sharp herbal, spice, pepper. A splash of water adds notes of creamy coffee, smoked fudge, pine resin & hints of smoked coconut; while a rich life adds notes of salt, Treacle toffee, Turkish coffee, smoky bacon, dark chocolate, peachy, estery fruits, hickory wood, clove oil & a hint of black olive; that led to an extra-long & rich death with notes of clove, tar, oak & toffee. December 2018 / March 2019 / August 2022

Moderately smoky nose with some honeysuckle and vanilla. Medium bodied, cooling mouthfeel, caramel, briny peat, with a dry and peppery finish. Very enjoyable dram, better than any of the post-Blaaack committee releases. Glad to have the opportunity to try this one, thanks once again @pkingmartin.

Peppery, salted caramel & coffee. My favorite of the 4 Ardbegs we did on site.

Lemon peel, tar, oak. Dry but sweet. It’s interesting after having probably about 10 different Ardbegs to see how subtle changes impact the base spirit. The black oak really makes it’s mark on this one, and in an interesting way. Some bitterness and sweetness to the finish. I did a bottle share on this and glad I did...because it’s a fine dram but also because I’m not sure I’d need a whole bottle. Looking forward to the next new Ardbeg! Updating this as I’m finally kicking my half bottle. The longer I’m away from this the more I appreciate the combo of being wholly unique and yet distinctly Ardbeg. I’d definitely enjoy a whole bottle. Unfortunately you’d probably have to find it at auction at absurd prices by now.

Nose: iodine, vanilla, peat Taste: smoked meat, pepper, honey sweetness, salted caramel Finish: medium finish, flavors fade to sweetness Definitely Ardbeg but the sweetness of honey and salted caramel give it some uniqueness. Great dram.