Ardbeg Kildalton 2014

5 years ago, i started my journey in whisky. It has been a super fun and lovely experience, and now it has reached a beautiful milestone. This my friends, is my whisky review No. 1000. After 1000 whiskies i can honestly say i have tasted enough from most scottish distilleries, and, in a very subjective way, i can pick my favorites. My top three would be Glendronach, Talisker and Lagavulin. The rest of the top ten would be, in no specific order, Ardbeg, Arran, Dalmore, Edradour, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Highland Park. It is awesome to share ny reviews with you, and the actual 1000 whisky was an Ardbeg. Tasted at the distillery warehore, a 2014 special expression, the famous "Kildalton". This one was originally intended only for distillery visitors, and it honours the Kildalton Cross on the Isle of Islay. It is the best preserved celtic cross on Scotland, and that makes it a wonderful monolithic structure with historic importance. Bottled at 46%abv, this special edition has been bottled in bourbon and sherry casks. On the nose, it starts with green apples and the Ardbeg peat, but tamed. Minty, herbal, smokey. It takes time to fully open. Gooseberries. Super fruity and slightly ashy. Very perfumed; it has released a scent of hand lotion. After a first sip, it gave me a vanilla explosion in a fancy, well delivered way. Vanilla ice cream, coconut, lemongrass. Super complex. On the palate, it is pure perfection. Grassy, herbal. Ashy water in a good way. Not watery, but very grassy. Petrichor. The second sip gave me vanilla and herbal Tea. On the third sip it had a sugary character. Aftertaste is peaty and super enjoyable. Ashy, a puff of smoke. I can only describe it as a herbal powder is such thing exists. Sider and metallic notes, copper. Overall, this one is very fresh, minty and herbal in a very good way. The palate was the absolute highlight of this very rewarding dram. Having said all that, i am so happy that i have reached 1000 reviews, i can finally said that "i have drunk a little whisky". My next step of the journey is to write a book, that will contain my thoughts on this great beverage, and of course i will include all my reviews on it. My score for this single malt is 96 over 100, but it feels like one thousand! Slàinte!!

Delightful. Salty, smoky, smooth, beautiful...

Very salt forward as you drink it the fruitiness and sweetness comes out but the salt stays prevalent

Smoke, smoke and smoke intrlinguers with sweet nuances of vanilla and fudge. Distinct saltiness

En knock-out med lång eftersmak.

Really good, light peat

Bought August 7, 2108 at Distillery. Sale supported local community.

Huge. Rich. Boozy. Very Smokey/peaty

Great whisky; I bought the last bottle on Islay early 2018. Then went back for feis Ile 2018 and ordered a dram at the Islay Hotel. I did my tasting notes there - really great whisky. I did a full review on this here https://youtu.be/NbEoRNqZxLo - I’d link fails go to whisky bloke and you’ll see the video there - welcome comments.