Ardbeg Whisky Sample Kelpie Committee Release Feis ile 2017 (30ml, 51.7%)

Tasting Notes

The Black Sea oak provides a very different tannic structure compared to American or European oak, leading to an intense herbal and spicy backbone.

Nose: An incredibly oily and "dancing" nose. It opens with powerful peat and dark chocolate, immediately followed by savory notes of smoked fish and briny seaweed. Beneath the smoke, there are sharp herbal layers and a distinct hit of spicy black pepper. A drop of water reveals creamy coffee, smoked fudge, and a surprising hint of smoked coconut.

Palate: The arrival is peppery and intense. It moves into a "crescendo" of rich flavors: treacle toffee, Turkish coffee, and thick, smoky bacon. The mid-palate is dominated by dark chocolate and clove oil, but it’s balanced by a curious burst of estery fruit (peach and melon) and a salty hint of black olives.

Finish: Long and deeply drying. It leaves lingering, "deep-sea" notes of tar, cooled black tea, and smoldering driftwood.The spice from the Russian oak stays on the tongue, manifesting as a final, warming touch of clove and nutmeg.