Generously_Paul
Ardbeg Kelpie
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
March 27, 2020 (edited September 22, 2020)
I sat down to do a re-review of this Ardbeg that I tasted over 2 years ago, hoping that I would find something new, something previously undiscovered. The previous review was from a sample, this was not a bottle that has been open 2+ years. But no, it’s the same amazingness as before.
The nose is incredible and unique for an Ardbeg in that the sweetness carries it almost as much as the smoke does.
The palate, while not too complex is very satisfying. I will say that I did get a bit of a rubbery note this time that I did not get before, not that that’s a bad thing.
Still amazing, still a 4.5
For further details, see my published works on this subject...just look up my last review lol.
Cheers.
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@Soba45 I have a bottle of the CE Grooves, but haven't opened it yet. Heard that one was good. Kelpie just got the Dapper Drams treatment, https://youtu.be/xZSj--Llwbk
Yeah I really liked that Black Sea oak influence. That was the high water mark for me Ardbeg NAS release wise...
For those too lazy to go searching for the previous review, here’s the neat and potatoes: A full and rich nose. Voluminous peat smoke, but also quite sweet. Lemon cakes and buttery blueberry muffins. The lemon notes are strong here, but sweeter than the 10 year old, which I find on the tart side. Fireplace ashes, creosote and tar. Beautiful. Lots of creamy vanilla, apples, pears and apricots. Salty seaweed, tobacco and leather. Truly a wonderful nose. The Black Sea oak gives this a very different feel than the Corryvreckan, but does not give quite the level of complexity (probably due to the fact that it's at 46% vs the 57.1% of the Corryvreckan). After some time it gets sweeter, like maple syrup. I could nose this all day. The palate is smoky and sweet. Not too intense at 46%, quite smooth really. Huge peat smoke, ashes, seashore. Peppery oak, licorice, lemon cakes. Rich oak, clove and ginger. Vanilla cream and salted caramels and chocolate. Marvelous.