Interesting. Peat is high – you could be chewing on sticks of charcoal. Lacks sweetness to balance things out.
Laura Foster
Ardbeg
Brand
Kelpie
Expression
Single Malt
Type
No age statement
Age (Years)
2017
Year of Bottling
46%
ABV
Islay
Region/Country
Standard (Distillery or blended)
Bottling Type
Taster
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.
Score: 7.3
Taster
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.
Score: 8.2
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