Ardbeg / Kelpie - Whisky Magazine

Ardbeg

Kelpie

ABV 46%
REVIEWED Issue 146

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Specifications

Brand: Ardbeg
Expression: Kelpie
Type: Scotland Whisky / Single Malt
Age: No Age Statement
Year of bottling: 2017
ABV: 46%
Country/Region: Scotland / Islay
Bottling type: Standard (Distillery or blended)

Tasting notes

Taster Rob Allanson

Nose: Classic Islay notes: citrus, runny honey, warming tarmac, hot damp stones all wrapped up with black treacle and smoke.
Palate: Smoke dominates. Up-front hits of tarry rope, wood fires and a decent amount of coal tar soap. Reveals its gentle side of citrus and golden syrup.
Finish: Lingering, like a night after a cigar. A teaspoon of salt as the smoke settles.
Comment: A good example of a decent Islay whisky. Big, bold, smoky, but that ball of smoke does tend to dominate everything. For the peat-heads.

8.2

Taster Laura Foster

Nose: Transports you to the pubs on Islay. A classic, comforting nose of lemon, lime, honey, oatcakes, sea spray, TCP and treacle, along with some lily and coconut.
Palate: Charcoal sticks and bonfire smoke against vanilla, lemon juice, heather, ash, black pepper and a soupcon of honey, all enjoyed in a Himalayan salt chamber.
Finish: A beach bonfire smoulders, having been put out with sea water.
Comment: Interesting. Peat is high – you could be chewing on sticks of charcoal. Lacks sweetness to balance things out.

7.3

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Ardbeg Distillery, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Islay, Scotland

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