ScotchingHard
Ardbeg Kelpie
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
October 19, 2020 (edited April 4, 2021)
This is the 2017 Ardbeg Day release.
There is a rumor that whatever virgin black magic black sea cask this Ardbeg was aged in made the whisky “too intense,” so it had to be blended with some Ardbeg Ten. This is what is wrong with the whisky industry currently! Can’t even let the balls hang out a little on a special yearly limited release. Shame.
The Kelpie is like an Ardbeg doing a good impression of a Port Charlotte or Octomore. It is so salty, peppery, and savory. It is the most maritime Ardbeg Day that I can remember, but it is also fungal and farmy. The name Kelpie technically refers to a mythological sea demon, but I’m sure the folks at Ardbeg also realize that this shit tastes like sea plants. Brown, briny, slightly sweetened, very umami, seaweed and kelp, washed onto a mushroom farm.
I’m sad if there is an uncensored version of this whisky that was not allowed to hit the market (perhaps the committee release is what I dream of? Or is it just an unwatered version of the standard release?)). Even so, this is my favorite Ardbeg Day release since 2013’s Ardbog, including this year’s rather impressive Blaaack. What holds this back is a metallic note that plagues many of today’s Ardbegs and an unfulfilling glimpse into a truly spectacular whisky that Ardbeg, before it needed to worry about a worldwide fandom, would have no problem in seeing through.
Score: * (unforgettably good)
How much does a bottle cost?: $100-130 if you can still find it at retail. Now up to $200 on secondary.
How much do I think a bottle is worth?: $130
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@ScotchingHard I rather liked the 23, a bit more than the 22. Sadly the 22 is the one I bought...I saw the 23 at 500 and almost pulled the trigger. That said fear not, our wonderful overlords at Ardbeg have released a new 25 year this year. And it should retail for a meager 850 or so. And no worries, they've gone ahead and watered it down too as heaven forbid it be too hot for that 1 person who has 850 dollars for an ardbeg 25 year.
@dhsilv2 @PBMichiganWolverine I got the 22 year old at retail ($550-600. Most stores I see in the MD/DC area that still stock them mark up to ~$800). The 23 year is the one with a sherry finish, which makes me weary something was off about the first maturation. The 22 is the last release from the old still and is completely bourbon matured. Yes. At these prices, cask strength would be appreciated, but alas.
@dhsilv2 @ScotchingHard that Ardbeg twenty something 23 yr was one of the best single malts I’ve had. I only had a sample, I imagine the price is well over $400-500?
@ScotchingHard that the 23 year year one? Love that one and the 22 year. Just don't love the price point, espcially at 46%.
@dhsilv2 Yeah, I'm looking forward to some older stuff coming out now that they've been reopened for a while, but I'm also curious to try some of the older stuff should I be so lucky someday.
@dhsilv2 yeah. Old Ardbegs are a different animal. I just pulled the trigger for a 2018 twenty something.
@ScotchingHard it was a release out of tiwian from a brand I'd never heard of and it wasn't offically documented as an ardbeg, but without any question it was. @PBMichiganWolverine I believe he said he paid about 750 for it. He opened it for us while we were in chicago, awesome guy Mike knows through scotch addicts on facebook. One of the most generious and just down to earth nice guys I've met, with a collection that puts mine to shame. @ContemplativeFox keep in mind the 19 is the oldest ardbeg with their new stills, this was from their old stills. Those old ardbegs are a different animal and a wonderful one.
@dhsilv2 I would have loved to try that 27 YO Ardbeg. The Traigh Bahn at 19 really impressed me and I can only imagine what the extra 8 years must have been able to do.
@dhsilv2 that 27yr Ardbeg must’ve been damn expensive as well.
@dhsilv2 was the IB Signatory or TBWC?
Nice review. Kelpie was my favourite special release from memory. only one i bought a bottle of
@ScotchingHard I about 2 weeks ago got the oppertunity to try both a 27 year old CS ardbeg IB and the Ardbog. Both were really outstanding, the 27 year being darn near life altering. The recent releases are just pathetic, especially that "black" thing they aged 3 minutes at most (only simi joking). I really hope ardbeg's increased production means we're a few years from something special, but I don't have high hopes.
@ScotchingHard yeah, even the IB for Ardbeg is high priced. Anything with Ardbeg is high priced...they can sell old stinky socks and it’ll be high priced. Even their beer. I bought Ardbeg Shortie beer...at $12/can. Could’ve bought 2 cases of Coors Light for that.
@ScotchingHard here in Europe you can find it for around 300€ (350$).
@Jan-Case Ardbog almost floored me when I first tried it about a year ago. I would pimp myself out for a bottle.
@PBMichiganWolverine or be ready to just immediately shell out for the occasional IBs that get released. Although Ardbeg IBs these days are even more expensive than OBs so I can’t imagine how much a barrel would cost.
I had a glass of the Ardbog recently and can fathom the quality of these rare out-of-the-ordinary releases. Das that the best often is the hardest to get too. But thankfully the Uigeadail is fantastic too and I assume a good compensation.
I have a feeling the bean counters figured the folks buying that uncensored version would be fewer than their ability to turn a profit. I’m wondering if the only way to get those uncensored versions is to join a club that does barrel picks