ARDBEG Kelpie Limited Edition

Each year Ardbeg launches a new limited edition that is released on Ardbeg Day: Kelpie is the 2017 version. Between the warehouses and casks soaked in the fresh sea air, or the waves crashing in the harbour, the Ardbeg distillery has always enjoyed a unique proximity to the sea. Legends tell of many mysterious creatures that live along the Islay coast... Like the Kelpies, water creatures in the shape of bulls or horses with hair made of seaweed.

This limited edition from Ardbeg Distillery is aged in virgin casks, made from oak grown and felled near the Black Sea. These casks offer remarkable depth and are combined here with Ardbeg's signature American oak casks. Ardbeg Kelpie reveals itself with aromas of oily peat, dark chocolate and smoked fish.

TASTING NOTES

COLOUR: In the glass, Ardbeg Kelpie exhibits a deep, bright amber hue, with golden highlights that tantalizingly catch the light. Its color is warm, almost opaque, inviting curiosity as it moves gently in the glass.

NOSE: A wonderful, intense, ‘dancing’ nose, with lots of different, intertwined aromas – powerful, oily peat, dark chocolate, smoked fish, hints of seaweed, and a curious, sharp herbal note. Waves of spicy black pepper.

TASTE: A peppery mouthfeel is followed by a crescendo of rich flavours. Treacle toffee, Turkish coffee, smoky bacon and lots of dark, dark chocolate. A curious burst of peachy, estery fruit, hickory wood, clove oil and a suggestion of black olives.

FINISH: Seemingly lasting forever, with deep, deep, almost subterranean flavours of clove, tar, and rich toffee.