New Release: Ardbeg Official 'Kelpie' 46%

I think it has become easier to drink with the addition of water. Ardbeg ARDBEG OB 'KELPIE' 46% The aroma has citrus, youthful malt, kelp-like seaweed notes, vanilla, strong oak and butyric acid, a faint metallic touch, and a strong smokiness. When drinking, it has youthful citrus and malt, strong oak and vanilla, plain sweetness with saltiness, sharp minerals, smoked seafood and nuts, and a strong smoky note with iodine remains. [Good/Very Good] This is the annual limited release of Ardbeg, and this year it's bottled under the name 'Kelpie.' It has been matured in bourbon casks as well as virgin oak barrels from the Black Sea (Adygea Republic) and is bottled at a diluted strength. As usual, a white label cask strength version was released in advance for the committee. However, this year also followed the same pattern with a black label diluted version released to the general public alongside Ardbeg Day at the Islay Festival in May. It is generally a young Ardbeg of similar character to the white label, but I felt that the kelp-like nuances were more pronounced than the standard. The characteristic woody scent often found in virgin oak was not very noticeable, and compared to the white label, it may be slightly easier to drink due to dilution, with a better balance. Personally, I'm not very fond of young Ardbeg from recent years and prefer those matured in sweet casks like sherry. However, there are many people who enjoy recent Ardbeg releases, and I think this bottle does not disappoint those expectations.